My Engineers Blog

Although I was fully aware of the discrimination phenomenon, I did not let it be a road-block to my ambition. At present, the average Nigerian graduate, be they of the university or the polytechnic hue, is largely poorly trained and therefore ill equipped to face life’s dynamic realities. On a visit to Nigeria last summer, one of my former lecturers at the Michael Okpara College of Agriculture (MOCA), Owerri Imo State, during a discussion, concluded that the last set of motivated and serious students of his college graduated in 1998. I agreed with him not because I was of that set, but because my HND research project attests to that. However, I remembered that this same lecturer, like several of his peers, rather than engage the students in rigorous academic work, sold plagiarised hand-outs to us like no man’s business. This brings me to the recent directive from President Obasanjo, aimed at ending the discrimination between HND and BSc graduates. Whether employers of labour are

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the scrapping of the award of the Higher National Diploma (HND) by polytechnics in the country. Thus, the Federal Government has restricted the award to only the students currently on admission for the various programmes country in a move the Minister of Education, Dr. Adamu Adamu stated forms part of the comprehensive reform of the tertiary education sector. This is just as the Federal Government is set to scrap programmes currently being run by the polytechnics, which are not technology-based. According to the minister, under the new rule, the polytechnics will now become campuses of the proximate universities with the Vice Chancellors of those universities appointing provosts for the polytechnics, subject to the ratification of the Universities’ Councils. Adamu stated that with the new arrangement, polytechnics will now be limited to award of the National Diploma (ND) while those desirous of further education will be award

The Investiture of the 7th Chairperson of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Ilorin Chapter, Engr Mrs Bilikisu Adeola Jimoh, MNSE was held today at the Banquet Hall, Kwara Hotels, Ilorin. APWEN is a Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). The colourful ceremony attracted many Distinguished Personalilties and Members of the NSE, APWEN, Friends and Well Wishers which included the Representative of the Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Dcns Omolewa Ahmed. The Father of the Day, Engr Jani Ibrahim, FNSE, mni (Chairman/Technical Adviser, LUBCON Group) and the Mother of the Day, Alhaja Aminat Obalola added colours to the event while the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Maimartaba Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR was ably represented and gave his royal blessing. The Special Guest of Honour was the Deputy Managing Director of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Engr John Ayodele, FNSE, FNIEEE & the Guest Speaker

The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers has organised a Technical Seminar and Award for the Students of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Unuversity Bauchi. The Event which was chaired by the Bauchi Chapter of the Institution featured three Paper Presentations in RIsk Management, The Role of Vocational and Technical Education in Nation Building and Guides to Mechanical Engineering Students.  Held at PTDF Lecture Thearter, ATBU Bauchi which was filled to capacity, the Event Played host to the Immediate Past National Chairman of the Institution, ENgr Prof. Ademola Adisa who Presented a Paper along with the cureent Deputy National Chairman, Engr Dr. Robingson Ejilah. Mr. Nurudeen Dankaka Presenting his Paper on Risk Management  Prof A. A. Bello, Giving Professional Counselling to the Participants  Cross Section of the Presenters at the Event Dr. Robinson Ejilah Presenting on Roles of Vocational and Technical Education in Nation Building 

Are you a mechanical engineer and you are seeking for a source of extra income? Or you need a business that you can do part time? Then below are the top 20 small business ideas for engineers. As a mechanical engineer, you really do not need to wait for a company to employ you before you can start your career. There may be scarcity of jobs for people in other career fields but not for a mechanical engineer because most of the things we see and use every day are designed by mechanical engineers. From our automobiles, to our light switches, heating and air-conditioning system, generators and even household gadgets. There’s hardly any product we use today that doesn’t have the touch of a mechanical engineer. There are several businesses you could start as a mechanical engineer and you really don’t need thousands of dollars to start your business. You could even start with making and selling toys for children or helping your friends and family members fix their vehicles when it

Parents are being urged to help give their children an insight into a career in engineering as a firm opens its doors today. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is calling on young people and their parents to visit Caterpillar in Peterlee, which is taking part in Engineering Open House Day – the UK’s largest celebration of workplace engineers. The event will be taking place at the firm’s Learning Centre Of Light today and will form part of the IET’s Engineer a Better World campaign which aims to showcase the exciting engineering career opportunities in the industry that are open to young people. With demand for engineers far exceeding supply, and with women accounting for only 9% engineers in the UK, the IET is hoping to inspire a new generation of engineers – including girls – through the Engineering Open House Day events. Institute bosses say there aren’t enough young people – particularly girls – choosing to study science, technology, engineering and maths

  For decades, Nigerians had dreamt of a crisp transport system for mass movement, built around the railway technology like in developed countries. The dream is as good as coming to fulfilment now with the flag-off of commercial services of the Abuja-Kaduna railway project by President Muhammadu Buhari. Last month, a delegation of the Federal Government led by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi undertook a test-ride of the train service from Idu Main Station to Kubwa in Abuja and thereafter returned a verdict of success on the project. Amaechi said the completion of the project, which had suffered years of hiccups, is a mark of full commitment by the present government towards the revival of the transport sector in Nigeria. The Abuja-Kaduna railway project is already a leap in the efforts towards revitalising the national economy. Aside the capacity to open space for the generation of more employment opportunities, the tendency to save costs for different catego

Memo to All Members, Since the resumption of the President, Engr. Otis Anyaeji, FNSE, FAEng, in office in January 2016, the Society has consistently made several advocacy efforts to the Federal Government through relevant political office holders, on the need to rightfully position qualified and registered Engineers to hold key leadership responsibilities in specific engineering establishments/institutions for effective and optimal performances of these concerns.  To this end, we have had cause to engage the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice-President, the Senate President, several Ministers inclusive of Minister of State for Petroleum, Minister of Labour & Employment, Minister of Science & Technology, Minister of Solid Minerals, among others, at different times, physically as well as through various correspondences. We are glad that these efforts have started to yield fruits. We are thus, pleased to present an update on these advocacy effort

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) says it has concluded arrangements to secure international accreditation for its registered engineers in the country. COREN President, Mr Kashim Ali, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja. Ali said the required assessment for the certification would be concluded at the forthcoming High Level Policy Forum on Engineering Accreditation and Mobility being hosted by the national engineering body. NAN reports that the High Level Policy Forum is billed to assess the benchmark academic standards for engineering profession whose outcome would determine whether or not Nigerian engineers will be granted international accreditation. Ali said that that the council had completed preparation of all documents and presentations to ensure that Nigerian engineers gained the accreditation to practice in 48 Asia-Pacific countries. He said that COREN had embarked on the re

Born on 19th August 1952 in Lagos, Prof Salau attended the Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Isolo,Lagos State (Jan. 1966 - Dec. 1772). He attended Odessa Civil Engineering Institute, Odessa, Ukraine, where he was awarded M.Sc Civil Engineering with honours (First Class) in 1979 and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Structures) in 1983. He started his teaching career at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Lagos in 1984 and rose to the prestigious rank of a Professor in 2001. He was Acting Head (2002 – 2004), Head of Civil & Environmental Engineering Department (2005 – 2008). During his tenure, he facilitated the upgrade of all the laboratories and in particular acquired Universal Testing Machine from Imperial College. He also improved staff offices. He served at different times, as Consultant Structural Engineer of various projects in the University of Lagos including recently, Human Resources Development Centre Building. He was Consultant Structural Engineer t

Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) organised its 2016 Summit of Professionals at the Lagos Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The Opening Ceremony which took place today Tuesday 26th July, 2016 has the theme: GDP Growth and Diversification: PRESENT DAY REALITIES. The Keynote Speaker at the program was Leonard (Len) Mark Deacon, CEO, Len Deacon Associates (pty) Ltd, South Africa and the Former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Abdulasalami Abubakar (Rtd) GCFR was the Chairman of the Occasion. We must celebrate our own Man, the Immediate Past President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), who also doubles as the 2nd Deputy President of the APBN, Engr.  Ademola Isaac Olorunfemi , FNSE. He is also the Chairman of the Planning Committee. I, on behalf other NSE Delegation want to appreciate the President of the NSE, Engr. Oliver  Otis Anyaeji , FNSE for the opportunity given to represent the Society at the Professional Sum

Experts under the auspices of Institute of Appraisers and Cost Engineers, a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), have maintained that diversification of the nation's energy sources is key to sustainable energy. The experts unanimously adopted this at its 2016 national technical conference with the theme "Cost engineering, engineering economy and engineering valuation perspectives on adequate, reliable and sustainable energy in Nigeria" held in Abuja. The newly elected chairman of the institute, Dr Charles Mbelede, in his opening remarks, said the conference was a platform for the engineers to make meaningful contributions on issues of national importance, adding this year's conference focused on adequate, reliable and sustainable energy in Nigeria. "As you are aware, adequate, reliable and sustainable energy is critical to sustainable community development. It promotes economic growth and is the bedrock of better living conditions

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has disclosed that it is currently working with the National Assembly to promulgate a law which will abolish its existing regulatory and compliance arm, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and then set up a fresh chartered body to replace it. NSE said the body to emerge from COREN’s imminent abolition will be known as the Nigerian Society of Engineering Personnel (Chartered), and that it will, among other responsibilities, take up the regulation; control; enforcement; and determination of the standard of knowledge to be attained by people seeking to become registered and chartered engineering personnel and other connected purposes in the country. The society stated at the weekend in Abuja when it conferred fellowship titles on 20 of its members that COREN as presently constituted has not lived up to the purpose for which it was set up in 1970. It said it was for reasons which include operational and industr

The Nigerian Society Of Engineers (NSE) Bida Branch yesterday paid a condolences visit to it's Immediate Past Chairman, Engr AA Shehu over the recent demise of his wife & a member of the Branch Hajiya Ramatu Shehu. May she continue to abide in Allah's Mercy!

At last, it is with excitement, capital joy amidst jubilation and celebration of over 20 years struggle of Nigerian Polytechnic students and graduates including the staff unions and heads of Polytechnic in Nigeria. I am pleased to announce to the public that the COUNCIL OF ESTABLISHMENT which comprises of all the head of service of the 36 States of the Federation and the head of service of the Federation approved the removal of this long overdue dichotomy which hinder the career progression of HND holders in civil service in her meeting held in Minna Niger state capital during the week after an exhaustive deliberation, pro and anti deposition which ended with tie vote of 16 against 16 while the head of service of the Federation voted in support as presiding officer after the tie, to earn the Polytechnic sector the victory. Making the vote 17 pro against 16 anti. Henceforth, This resolution automatically lift embargo on HND holder career progression in civil service as the hold

Ibrahim Umar graduated just graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Surrey. While in secondary, Abuja Capital International College, he was the best student junior school and was also best graduating student. From where he proceeded to Stowe School, England for his A’levels. Ibrahim had maintained a first class grade right from his first year.

Through natural gas production has steadily increased in recent years in line with domestic supply obligations and the broad road map of the Gas Master Plan (GMP), the recent militant attacks on oil and gas facilities has exposed the fragility of the country’s gas supplies especially to the power sector.  In less than three weeks, Nigeria’s power sector lost over N36billion, primarily as a result of gas shortage caused by the recent bombing of pipelines supplying gas to electricity generation plants. Between May 27 and June 13, 2016 for instance, the country’s power sector lost an average of N2bn daily as a result of different challenges, with gas accounting for over 85 per cent of the total constraints. The disruptions to gas supply have prompted the Federal Government to look towards developing alternative sources of gas supply for power generation in the country. A senior government official while speaking at a recent Nigerian Gas Association forum, stressed “the need to explo

1. Practical Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) for Automation and Process Control - 5th – 7th 2. Safe Operation and Maintenance of Circuit Breakers and Switchgear - 5th – 7th 3. Industrial Fire Risk Assessment, Safety & Emergency Planning - 12th – 14th 4. Practical Power Transformers: Operation, Maintenance & Testing - 12th – 14th 5. Introduction to the Selection, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Fiscal Flow and Metering Equipment - 19th – 21st 6. Electrical Faults: Causes, Analysis, Detection & Remedies - 19th – 21st 7. Plumbing & Pipefitting: (Theory & Practical) - 26th – 28th 8. Practical Motor Protection, Control and Maintenance Technologies - 26th – 28th AUGUST 2016 1. Operation and Maintenance of Diesel Power Generating Plants - 2nd – 4th 2. Engineering Facilities Management Programme - 2nd – 4th 3. Pumps & Valve: Selection, Installation, Operation & Maintenance - 9th – 11th 4. Effective Maintenance Managemen

Three hundred and twenty light years away in the Centaurus constellation sits one of the strangest planets humans have ever laid eyes on. It’s four times as massive as Jupiter and orbits twice as far out as Pluto—around one of its three suns. Using a new instrument at the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, a team of astronomers has spotted a planet in an exotic triple star system; it’s only the second such exoplanet known to science. And unlike the first triple-star exoplanet—which orbits very close to one star and very far from the other two—planet HD 131399Ab is gravitationally influenced by all three suns. Until now, astronomers weren’t sure such a planet could survive. “I’d venture to say this is the weirdest orbit of any exoplanet we’ve ever found,” Kevin Wagner, an astronomer at the University of Arizona and lead author on the study published in today’s Science, told Gizmodo. “We know of no other planet in a configuration like this.” Although astronome

ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL, NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA), DR. DAKUKU PETERSIDE ON THE CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE SEAFARERS, 2016 THEME: “AT SEA FOR ALL” It is a privilege for me to be among this august audience on this day which the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)has set aside as the International Day of the Seafarers to celebrate the seafarer and allow the world know how and why the seafarer is indispensable to everyone. It is pertinent for us to understand that without seafarers there will be no shipping transportation; thus we ought to recognise the importance and indispensability of shipping to the world’s socio-economic setting. Maritime transportation more than any other mode of transportation, facilitates the movement of huge volume of global trade to various destinations across the world seas.One of the core functions of NIMASA is the development of shipping and regulation of matters relating to merchant shippi