Mechanical Engineers Upbeat On Automobile Manufacturing Plant In Bayelsa

…Holds 3rd Prof. Odi-Owei’s Annual Public Lecture

 

The Nigerian institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) has given assurances that automobile manufacturing plant would soon commence operations in Bayelsa State in a few months time.

National Wire gathered this Wednesday during the third edition of the annual Professor Steven Odi-Owei’s public lecture organized by the Bayelsa State branch of the institution(NIMechE) in Yenagoa, the State capital.

Former national President of NIMechE, Eng. Ugochukwu Nzurumike revealed this while speaking with Newsmen shortly after the event in Yenagoa.

He said: “I want you to know that in less than six months time, you will hear that there is car manufacturing company here in Bayelsa State”.

National Wire reports that the 3rd annual public lecture was organized by the Nigerian Institute Of Mechanical Engineers Yenagoa Chapter as part of activities marking the 78th birthday celebration of Engineer Odi-Owei, an Emeritus Professor of Tribology as part of his contribution to mechanical engineering and the society in general.

Ugochukwu added that: “In Nigeria there are car manufacturing companies already, there’s big difference between manufacturing and Assembly.

“We might not be manufacturing all the components, but we’re manufacturing.

” Innoson is producing all the parts, yet it’s importing the engine and the gear box, but every other things are produced here in Nigeria”.

The ex-NIMechE president described the emeritus Professor as a gift to humanity, saying he has impacted lots of life as well as has mentored many mechanical engineers doing well now.

Meanwhile, the chairman planning committee for the the event, Engr. Seigha Gumus, said they are celebrating a man who had impacted humanity and has done a lot as regards mechanical engineering.

He said Engr. Emeritus Prof Steven Odi-Owei was the first to introduced Tribology in Nigeria.

Gumus said: “Emeritus Professor Steven Odi-Owei Is a Tribology expert and he brought it to Nigeria.

“He was also the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University Of Science and Technology(now Rivers State University).

” He has trained a lot of people and contributed a lot to his kinsmen and the mechanical engineering association.

”It’s customary for engineering profession to single out icons in the association to celebrate them yearly and is done by annual public lecture which where we invite people, students and members to come and learn innovations in the profession”.

Speaking to Journalists after his lecture, the quest lecturer, Engr. Prof. Alexander Okpala said, the lecture was about how mechanical engineers can design Petroleum Storage Tanks.

He said now that the federal government have deregulated the Petroleum Industry, their will be need for so many tanks. saying it is good for engineers to be conversant with the techniques for the design and structure.

Prof. Alexander who delivered lecture titled: ‘The Role of Mechanical Engineers In API 650 Storage Tanks Plates Design, is also a lecturer at the Niger Delta University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, further said, the lecture is just a brief of how to startup and how to do design.

He said: “The lecture will help our people to learn how to design and how to do it within ourselves locally.

“It will also improved our economy here because so many of the tanks around here are built by outsiders”.

In his remarks, the celebrant, Engr. Emeritus Prof Steven Odi-Owei, said the upcoming engineers should take pains and patience to work hard, Saying hard work pays.

Odi-Owei said: “The young ones should be hard-working, diligent and steadfast.

”They should not be in a hurry. Success comes from hard work”.

The celebrant ascribed all his successes to his believe in Jesus Christ.

In same vein, the chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Yenagoa chapter, Engr. Ayebakuro Henry Jephtha has commended participants to the event on the support and cooperation extended to the association.

He in particular lauded the Managing Director, Bayelsa State electricity company, Engr. Olis Kemenanabo, and the Executive Chairman/CEO Eraskorp Nigeria Ltd Maxwell Okoh.

The NIMechE chairman also thanked Engineers R.P Awana and B.K Yeri, amongst others.