Engineers urged to develop indigenous technology capacity

• As APWEN harps on career development, laments low manpower
To contend with foreign incursion into the construction sector, experts have stressed the need to develop indigenous technology capacity of engineers.

They were also asked to leverage individual and organisational partnership to improve and retrain their skills knowledge.

Leading the call at the second edition of Akintunde Zedomi Distinguished Lecture Series in Lagos, Anthony Adegbola, an engineer, said no country could develop by depending on foreigners.

Adegbola, in a lecture titled: “Building indigenous capacity for National Development”, noted several trends and challenges in the current education, skills and jobs and their future outlook.

The event, was meant to round off activities marking the 20th anniversary celebration of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Apapa branch.

Adegbola, the Chief Information Officer of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, (NITEL), called for a rethink on how the world’s human capital endowment is invested in Nigeria, leveraged for social and economic prosperity and well being of all.

He said, disruptive innovations are needed to cushion effect of the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic and called on engineers to offer solutions, which will stem the tide.

According to him, the solutions would come if engineers build capacities as there is often a much more simple low-grade solutions that’s more affordable and accessible to larger population.

In his remarks, the branch chairman, Christian Ufot, said capacity building activities increase an individual’s knowledge and skills.

Ufot said there is need to build indigenous capacity in many areas whether in the industry or other sectors of the economy.

He said the topic was chosen by the chapter to buttress the danger of depending on other countries for technological development.

In his keynote address, NSE President, Mr. Babagana Mohammed, noted that the progress made by the branch in building local capacity of engineers since its Inauguration.

Mohammed said the branch has been actively involved in conferences, public lectures, seminars and workshops for the professional development of members; career talks, industrial/courtesy visits, engineering regulation and monitoring, and other community development activities to enhance better relationship with their immediate community.

The highlight of the event is an award ceremony to honour Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe, the immediate past general manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), who was promoted to permanent secretary in the state public service.

MEANWHILE,the President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Mrs. Funmilola Ojelade, has advised members to take up volunteerism as part of their professional development.

She stated this during the inauguration of new executive for Ota chapter of APWEN. Ojelade said: “In developed countries, people make deliberate effort to include volunteer activities in their curriculum vitae. Some employers won’t even consider you, if you haven’t volunteered at any point in your career.”

The new chairman, Ota chapter, Dr. Imhade Okokpujie, lamented the lack of adequate manpower in production engineering in the country.

Okokpujie emphasised the need for women’s development, adding that it would be a catalyst for national development. She also called for more mentorship and encouragement of the girl child to study engineering.

According to her, women make up a minority of most positions in every sector of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), which was confirmed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This, she said was affecting performance of the girl child in the society.

Okokpujie pledged to take the chapter to a greater height by creating platforms to reach out to the communities and encourage the girl child to study engineering.

On her part, APWEN past president, Nkechi Isigwe, urged female engineers to break barriers, lead and create new things.