Osun Commissioner Harps On The Need For Engineers To Work Out Solutions To Dwindling Nation,s Economics

Osun State Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Engr Olalekan Badmus yesterday posited that since Engineering is a critical catalyst for national development future engineers should fashion out solutions to the dwindling economy of Nigeria.

He also advised them to respond to current situation in the country saying Engineers have always been partners in progress in the Development of any nation.

Speaking at the 5th Induction Ceremony of Engineering Graduates of Osun State University with the theme “The future of Engineers in the present face of Nigeria Economy” the commissioner noted that It has not achieved much because it has been lacking in fundamentals of our Socio-economic construct.

He said everything has been more of rhetoric and superficial considerations while the political will to push through far-reaching policies has been lacking.

Badmus equally hoped that as the nation are having more engineers at the corridors of power, the narrative will begin to change significantly.

According to him “it was important for engineers to assume their rightful role of being creators of improvised ideas. We must wear our thinking caps and think out of the box to design workable, profitable and, more importantly, sustainable model for every initiative or project. This, to me, is what I considered the hallmark of an Engineer.”

He also noted that “It was the responsibility of the future engineers to fashion out solutions to the dwindling economy of Nigeria. We must respond to current situation. Engineers have always been partners in progress. Engineering is Development. Engineering is the critical catalyst for national development.”

The Commissioner disclosed that the involvement of Nigerian engineers in the expansion of post-colonial infrastructural development witnessed in the country cannot be waived aside. according to him , the construction of the Third Mainland Bridge which was the longest bridge in Africa until 1996 when the Cairo’s 6th October Bridge was built, have the huge signatures of many of Nigeria engineers.

“Equally, the constructions of the NECOM House, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, National Theatre, Cocoa House are some of the notable achievements recorded by our engineers.”he said.

Badmus equally stressed that for future engineers to survive and be relevant, they must begin to do things differently,saying engineers must begin to Create! Innovate! And Manufacture.

He therefore reaffirmed that their chosen path of career could turn them to Millionaires if they apply the right attitude and knowledge. Whether in mechanical or electrical or civil or computer engineering, the opportunities are enormous, but only if they are ready to tap into them by thinking out of the box.

He also encouraged them to begin to do an appraisal of their community and get first-hand knowledge of the need of the people, of their environment and the rest should be how to get the solution.

The Commissioner disclosed that in Osun State an indigenous ethanol producing company is partnering with the state government to establish a bio-refinery factory with capacity to produce 7million litres of biofuel annually.

He contended that this is a factory that will be built on 21 hectares of land which the state government has donated as part of her equity in this particular Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

He however submitted that It was interesting to note that at maturity, the venture will generate over 10,000 employments saying this is the kind of business development that should interest future engineers.

He then advised them to endeavours to seek collaboration where it is needed. Partner with like minds to float business ventures where your trainings, skills, ideas and vision can gather flesh.

As future Engineers,he appealed to them all that as they are getting into a new phase of life, they must endeavour to be part of model drivers and solution providers to the Country’s challenged economy.