The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) Abuja Chapter, has appealed to the federal government to pay attention to the national technical skills if it aimed to fast-track the industrialization process in the country and also create more employment.
The Chairman of the Abuja chapter, Engr Peter Ingbiankobo, in his address during its annual chapter conference said that the choice of the theme: ‘The Role of Technical Skills in Enhancing Manufacturing for National Development’ was informed by the desire to “properly address this issue as ours is an evolving and weak manufacturing sector that deserves attention if we are to achieve the desired economic growth through industrialization.” He added that the attainment of this however will be impossible without paying attention to sustainable technical skills.
Engr. Ingbiankobo said that the manufacturing sector is the bedrock of economic development the world over and there is no gainsaying that this sector has been faced with numerous challenges including lack of technical skills for sustainability of the existing industries in Nigeria as well as the emerging ones.
Similarly, the Technical Secretary of Chapter, Engr Matthew Odama, while lamenting the state of technical skill in Nigeria observed that the role of technical skills have been overlooked by federal government, and that many jobs that should be done by Nigerians are being outsourced to foreigners.
Odama said, “The technical skills will reduce unemployment and promotes self-reliance for individuals and thus helped in addressing the socioeconomic challenges in Nigeria”.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari, who was represented by Shodunke Olayinka, said, “the Nigerian economy can be sustained through a concerted and co-operative efforts to strengthen the sector’s Technical, Vocational and Educational Skills Training (TVET) system.
“The TVET model would require committed participation of all stakeholders, including the government, industries, training institutions, educational institutions and various unions,” he said
He urged the federal government and stakeholders to collaborates in the development of workforce in driving the national growth through the technical skills.
..Elects New Officers..
Meanwhile the chapter has elected new executive Officers at their 7th Annual general Meeting which held after the event.
The following are the new Executive officers elected by the Abuja Chapter
- Engr. J.A Babura – Chairman
- Engr. A.S.Y Kutigi – Vice Chairman
- Engr. Mathew Odama – Secretary
- Engr. Ogochukwu Okeke – Technical Secretary
- Engr. Ibrahim Balogun -Membership/Publicity Secretary
- Engr. P. I Inghiankobo- Immediate Past Chairman.