Thursday January 5th, 2017 was a memorable and historical day in Nigeria; it witnessed the launch of the NIMechE Innovation Challenge 2017. Held at the NIMechE Lagos Chapter Secretariat at the Loco Building, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Ebuta Meta, Lagos State.
Stakeholders from Mechanical Engineering Departments from ten tertiary Institutions across Lagos State namely; University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State Polytechnic, Covenant University, Bells University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, University of Science and Technology, Bowen University and Wolex Polytechnic, and media practitioners from various media organizations in Lagos State gathered to commence the process of finding indigenous solutions to problems in agriculture, power supply, renewable energy, and automation.
Speaking at the occasion, the President of NIMechE Lagos Chapter, Engr. (Mrs) Funmi Akigbagbohun, said that “The challenge which is the first of its kind in Nigeria will set the standard for more competitions, discoveries and cross-sector collaborations in the future. That NIMechE hopes to establish a strong relationship with other sectors of the economy like manufacturing, marketing and agriculture and leverage on the solutions proffered for deployment all over the nation”. The challenge, she said, will aid in renewing the relationship between professionals from different industries as well as foster a sense of shared objectives.
She continued that “The NIMechE Innovation Challenge 2017 aspires to continually engage stakeholders both locally and internationally and strengthen corporation in the area of technology and human resources development”. This she stated will result in an improved perception of the engineering industry in Nigeria at home and abroad.
The schedule of activities for the project period was also announced by the Chairman, while stating also that the website for submission is already opened from February 1st, 2017.
The project has the following objectives:
- to develop the potential and capacity of the mechanical engineering sector to deliver solutions to commercial, economic and agricultural problems in Nigeria
- Aid in job, enterprise and opportunity creation for Nigerian youths
- Make visible contributions to national development while collaborating effectively with other actors in the commercial, agricultural and marketing communities.
- Provide guidance and mentorship for talented youths to hone their innovative skills
- Set a standard for similar national competitions
- Identify discoveries and innovations for current problems in Nigeria
- Encourage cross-sector collaborations in the engineering communities
- Establish a strong relationship with other sectors of the economy like manufacturing, marketing and agriculture and leverage on the solutions proffered for deployment all over the nation
- Promote a renewed relationship between professionals and a sense of shared objectives
- Strengthen national/international collaborations and corporation among stakeholders for engineering development in Nigeria
- Improve the perception of the engineering industry in Nigeria at home and abroad.
A Partnership for Transformation
The challenge is sponsored by The Royal Academy of Engineering, London through her Africa Catalyst 16/17 Award Grant. In six months, several activities that will help NIMechE attain the aforementioned objectives would be held. NIMECHE has assembled a team of eminent engineering professionals who would supervise and review the processes leading to the selection of a winner and two runner-ups. The winners would be measured based on: NIMechE compliance, affordability and accessibility, scalability, empathy, innovation/differentiation, technical feasibility, sustainability, team capabilities.
The project is managed by IBLF International; they are to provide project management services, international expertise and support for the project, approve fund disbursements as well as review and advise on reports and any other submissions by the institution before they are sent to the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Mechanical Engineering Skills Acquisition Limited (MESA). Provide local support for the project.
Website Launched
The website for the challenge www.nimechelagos.ng was launched as announced by the Chairman on Wednesday 1st February, 2017. The launch was announced via a short video message shared across all social media platforms.
Committees had been appointed to assist in organising smooth project and they are as follows:
Project Coordination Committee
Engr. (Mrs) Funmi Akingbagbohun
Engr. (Mrs) Osazoduwa Agboneni
Engr. Ayo Fanimokun
Mr. Kennedy Osagie
Engr. Femi Adedotun
Engr. Niyi Hassan
Mr. Olajide Olawuni
Student Affairs Committee
1. Engr. Ibrahim Aledu
2. Engr. Muritala Busari
3. Engr. Mrs. Stella Taiwo
4. Engr.Mrs. Faosat Aina
Technical/Supervisory Committee
1. Engr. Dr. Adeyemo
2. Engr. Dr. Uche Obiajulu
3. Engr. Christian Ufot
4. Engr. Ganiyu Owolabi
5. Engr. Tiamiyu
6. Engr. Victor Akpan
7. Engr. Segun Fadeyi
8. Engr. Abdulrasheed Moyosore
9. Engr. Amos Komolafe
10. Engr. Wole Adeshina
11. Engr. Johnson Akinwande
Publicity Committee
1. Engr. Femi Oluwaniyi
2. Engr. Saka Olasunkumi
3. Engr. Isqil Najim
4. Engr. Iyiola Olaoye
5. Engr. Segun Adeyeye
For more information, visit www.nimechelagos.ng email
Report Compiled by kennedy Osagie
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