Welcome Address by the National Chairman, Engr. Prof. Mohammed Baba Ndaliman, MNSE, FNIMechE, of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers on the occasion of the 33rd NIMechE International Conference/AGM on Wednesday, 21st October, 2020, at Steffans Hotels & Suites Channel 1, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.
Protocols.
We give praise to the Almighty God, the creator of the universe for His Beneficent Mercies and Abundance Blessings to our lives, for bringing us to this occasion and for sparing our lives with strength to witness this day for the 33rd International Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) – tagged TIN CITY 2020.
It is a great honour and privilege to welcome you all to the opening ceremony of this edition on behalf of the Executive Committee, the Council and the entire membership of the Nigerian Mechanical Engineering family.
This event is a special on as it is coming at this time when COVID-19 pandemic is easing down and the National economy is gradually picking up. The wonderful reception in Jos during our preparations toward this conference as we paid courtesy calls on the various personalities, Heads of organizations, government officials and traditional rulers has been very warm and replate with hearty excitements for us as the Government and the good people of Plateau States threw their doors widely open to welcome Nigerian Mechanical Engineers to the to the beautiful city of Jos.
I must say, we are indeed enthused by the pace of rapid infrastructural development in the Plateau under the dynamic and progressive leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, The Executive Governor of Plateau State, and his land mark achievement in restoring enduring peace in the Plateau, and assiduously fighting the Covid-19 pandemic to a standstill in the State. You all will agree with me that without peace meaningful socio-economic development will elude us all. Hence, Nigerian Mechanical Engineers are indeed happy with His Excellency’s uncommon developmental strides. It may also interest you to know that, this event has afforded us the opportunity move around and take note of the government’s legacy projects in the 17 local government areas, and 22 road construction projects in various locations in the State, and also making Jos the capital city one of the best lit-cities in the Nigeria. As we express our delight and appreciation to the Government and good people of the Plateau, we are also certain that our member would have an exciting and memorable stay in The Home of Peace and Tourism.
This year’s conference theme “Promoting Quality Mechanical Engineering Education and Practice for Sustainable Development” is designed to bring together experts from the Industry, engineering educators, research institutions and members of allied profession to discuss several complex, fundamental issues and methods affecting the teaching and learning mechanical engineering science and technology in our technical, vocational and Institutions of higher learning in Nigeria, to close the yawn skill gap in the practice.
It is envisaged that the conference would address new requirements in terms of knowledge and skills required by the industry, how to attain them and their methods of assessment. New initiatives in mechanical engineering education covering modern manufacturing, innovations for curbing COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurship and quality assurance amongst others are scheduled for discourse during this conference.
This conference should be able to examine the adequacy or otherwise of the traditional engineering pedagogy (i.e. the teaching and learning methods) to equip future graduates with the necessary attitude and skills, enable us examine alternative methods and also look into the issue of customer-focused engineering education, and also find a place for the ‘new normal’ and virtual teaching and learning practice in engineering education?
We are expecting a good number of participants representing industrialists, developers, tertiary institutions, research institutes and allied professional organizations. Distinguished personalities from these areas shall be serving as our esteemed speakers.
We are indeed grateful to have Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Munakurogha Adigio, FNSE, FNIMechE, – a renowned engineering professional, an industrial expert, and a distinguished academician, the Vice Chancellor, Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State for accepting to set the tone of the Conference as the Keynote Speaker. With his wealth of his practical experience in the industry as well as in academics, he is rightly positioned to serve in this capacity. I want to thank you for gracing this occasion.
The conference lead paper will be presented by Prof Ir. Dr. Mohammad Yeakub Ali, FIEB, FBSME, MIMechE, MASME- an erudite scholar, and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Brunei. Prof. Ali, – a Chartered Engineer in his own right in the practice, is indeed a scholar with a voracious appetite for mechanical engineering knowledge discipline had taught in several countries in decades, with a notable scholarly activity in over 250 published research works cited and read across the world. He would be presenting a paper titled “Sustainable Mechanical Engineering Education: The way forward” as a lead discourse for this year’s conference.
In the course of today’s programme, our distinguished guests would be conferred with awards in recognition of their contributions to the development and progress of Mechanical engineering in Nigeria, more awards are to be presented during the Conference dinner.
I want to especially welcome our Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Babagana Mohammed, FNSE, FNIMechE, the President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, for personally gracing the event. We really appreciate your untiring support and encouragement in our efforts to grow our profession. In the vain, I welcome our special invited guests.
Our supporters and sponsors are so dear to us, you’re too numerous to be mention. Let me seize this opportunity to recognize the contributions of Toyota Nigeria limited, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, UK, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK, the Engineering Forum of Nigerians in the UK, other private sector organizations among many others towards the successful hosting of the event. We appreciate your regular support.
Once again, let me warmly welcome Your Excellences, our Royal fathers, distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen to the 33rd International Conference and Annual General Meeting of NIMechE. I wish you a wonderful time and journey mercies to your various destinations at the end of the conference.
May Almighty Allah bless you all, and thanks for your attention.
