The National Executive Committee of Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) was gripped with shock by the news of the sudden death of the Distinguished Senator representing Bauchi South senatorial district, Senator Ali Wakili, mni in the early hours of Saturday, 17 March, 2018 in Abuja.
Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Welfare. The NIMechE leadership lamented that he died when the nation and NIMechE needed him most. With very keen interest, we have closely followed the many brilliant legislative contributions of Distinguished Senator Ali Wakili, mni. He is the sponsor of the Polytechnic Amendment Act Bill- a bill which seeks to reposition the Nigerian Polytechnic system in line with global best practice. This singular legislative effort of his is widely appreciated by the Nigerian engineering community, as engineering training is unavoidably and historically intertwined with the Polytechnic education system. Hence, the repositioning bid of the Polytechnic sector by the legislature is expected to rub-off positively on the quality of engineering and technical training in the country, by equipping our youths with requisite knowledge and employable skills to create wealth and jobs for the economy.
It is in recognition of this outstanding legislative contribution of Senator Wakili to engineering education in Nigeria that he was conferred with the coveted NIMechE’s merit award at the investiture ceremony of the 13th NIMechE National Chairman,- an event he graced with dignifying presence as Distinguished Guest of Honour on the 8th February, 2018.
This is one death too many! We are indeed deeply saddened by the demise of the Distinguished Senator Ali Wakili mni. He will be sorely missed by NIMechE and the nation in general. In this very sorrowful moment our thoughts and prayers of fortitude goes to his family, friends, Bauchi State Government, and the National Assembly he passionately served until his death.
We pray God Almighty for the repose of his gentle soul.
Signed:
Engr. Dr. Robinson I. Ejilah, MNSE, MNIMechE
NIMechE National Chairman