Protocols
Greetings and Acknowledgements: I want to thank God Almighty for giving us the grace to witness this ceremony today. Let me also appreciate the Board of Trustees of this great Academy for deeming it fit to nominate me as Vice-President two years ago. I have completed my tutelage and here I am to take over the mantle of leadership of the Academy for the next two years. I extend my sincere appreciation to members of the Council and particularly the members of the Executive Committee, who provided the platform for me to cruise through my apprenticeship.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, as the apex body of engineers in the country, is unique in many circumstances and hold the potential to lead all Nigerian engineers, in collaboration with other engineering stakeholders to make Nigeria great, if and only if, the potentials are tapped. This academy combines the best of the engineering academics with the best of engineering practitioners. Hence, any position proffered by the Academy has gone through the grill of both worlds. The average age of Fellows in the academy is currently about 74 with those less than 70 being only about 37% of the total. This depicts the experience in all spheres of engineering being concentrated in the Academy. These are experts in their areas of engineering in both academics, consulting, public service and engineering businesses. We are also spread across 14 engineering disciplines, including the well-known ones like Agricultural, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical engineering to the less populated like Marine, Mining, Nuclear, Aeronautical.
In a nutshell, the Academy is made up of mostly engineering experts who are only willing and ready to part with most of the expertise and experience they have acquired over their lifetime to help solve Nigerian problems in perpetuity, if so challenged. Most have been part of the systems when they functioned and have been part of solutions when there were issues and so have it all in their head. When you talk of electricity, petroleum refining, manufacturing, construction of facilities, etc, they have seen it all and can offer the best way out if challenged. This is what makes the Academy a Think Tank on engineering matters and this role needs to be further exploited to make life better in our country Nigeria.
The Academy must find a way to get governments and other stakeholders in Nigeria to make use of this great potential through advocacy and Policy Briefs. This should continue unabated, and some synergy must be established to influence in the areas of our expertise. Closely related to this, is our role, in conjunction with other engineering stakeholders (NSE, COREN, etc) to ensure appropriate training, development and deployment of the engineer in Nigeria to meet the developmental needs of the nation.
The Academy’s Strategic Plan has just been reviewed and the initiatives to make these work better have been sharpened. We should be able to work the talk and force our way to make the difference in this nation. The dearth of the lowest cadre of the engineering family (the technicians and artisans) in Nigeria must be immediately addressed. The Academy has commenced efforts to devote appropriate attention to the re-development of Technical and Vocational education and skills in Nigeria as the starting point.
The promotion of engineering businesses will see the nation back on its feet. Manufacturing is at its lowest ebb in Nigeria today. We must reengineer this and work hard with all stakeholders to aggressively promote engineering businesses in various facets, as this will be the way to strengthen the nation’s economy. All engineering factors of production in manufacturing must be brought back to the fore and made to thrive. Last night at our Technology dinner, as we have been told earlier, technology innovation by young Nigerians were brought to the fore and the best ten efforts this year were showcased. We look forward to some of them being further promoted to fruition. We will continue with this annually and even expand this to more creative ventures. In this wise, we must commend Arco Group of Companies who gave the Academy a seed money to promote engineering businesses and all those who supported the Innovation competition this year. Going forward, we solicit for very solid funding support from agencies, industrialists, companies, venture capitalists and other stakeholders to further promote our drive for technological innovation in Nigeria across the engineering space.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I want to appreciate all our financial sponsors within and outside of the Academy not to relent as the dividends of our efforts will soon start emanating. We must continue to lead engineering into the right bearing for our nation’s development.
I want to urge all Fellows of the Academy to key into the Academy’s activities and drives and together we shall make a difference in this country.
Before I take my seat, I like to thank my academic and development mentors here present: Professors S. A. Sanni, A. F. Ogunye, A. A. Susu and O. O. Omatete and Engr. J. J. Akpieyi. I have some of my university classmates here, the UNIFE Chemical Engineering class of 74. We have been together for 50 years since graduation and I have been the President of the class since we were students. I dedicate this event to us as we begin to celebrate 50 years of our graduation. Thank you for being there for me. I must also appreciate the presence of my community people here led by the Olu of Ilaro and the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Olugbenle, my home community led by Oba Abayomi Salako, the Aboro of Iboro, and members of the Yewa People Development Council and other groups. The University of Waterloo Alumni at Unilag, the 12th and 13th Vice-Chancellors of the University of Lagos, my immediate constituency, along with the members of the management of the University, the Dean and staff of the Faculty of Engineering, its home coming for me. The Tai Solarin University of Education community led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwole Banjo, I appreciate. All other Vice-Chancellors, past and present you are all appreciated.
Finally, I extend sincere appreciations to members of the larger Bello Family present here today as well as members of Professor R. A. Bello family led by my dear wife, Alhaja Momudat Bello, the Yeye-Asiwaju of Iboro, I do not take your support for granted. To all so numerous here that I cannot mention in this address, you are all dear to me and your support always is appreciated.
As we embark on this 13th Presidency of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, we count on all your support, morally and financially, towards the success of our tenure. When we give our account in two years’ time, we pray that we will all be here together hale and hearty.
I wish you all God’s mercies as you depart this event.
Thank you.
Engr. Prof. Rahaman Adisa Bello
FNSChE, FNSE, FAEng
President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering
23rd June, 2024
