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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
There is high hope that an automobile manufacturing plant will be established in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital in six months to commence car production.
Speaking to journalists in Yenagoa, chairman of the 3rd edition of the Emeritus Prof. Steven Odi-Owei Annual Public Lecture, Engr. Ugochukwu Nzurumike, said that within six months, there will be a car manufacturing plant in Yenagoa.
His word, ” I want you to know that in less than six months’ time, you will hear that there is car manufacturing company here in Yenagoa”.
The 3rd annual public lecture was organized by the Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Yenagoa chapter, as part of activities marking the 78th birthday of Engr. Emeritus Prof. Steven Odi-Owei as part of his contribution to mechanical engineering and the society at large.
Engr. Ugochukwu said there are car manufacturing companies already in Nigeria, adding that there is a big difference between manufacturing and Assembly.
“We might not be manufacturing all the components, but we are manufacturing. Innoson is producing all the parts, yet is importing the engine and the gear box. But every other thing is produced here in Nigeria”.
He described Emeritus Prof. Steven Odi-Owei as a gift to humanity, “who has impacted a lot of life and has mentored so many mechanical engineers that are doing well today.”
Also, chairman of the planning committee for the 3rd edition, Engr. Seigha Gumus, said they are celebrating a man who had impacted humanity and has done a lot as regards mechanical engineering.
He said Emeritus Prof Odi-Owei, a Tribology expert, was the first to introduce it in Nigeria. “He was also a former vice chancellor of Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
“He has trained a lot of people and contributed a lot to his kinsmen and mechanical engineering association. It’s a customary for the engineering profession to single out icons in the association to celebrate them yearly and this is done by annual public lecture, through which we invite people, students and members to come and learn new innovations”.
Speaking to journalists, the quest lecturer, Engr. Prof. Alexander Okpala said his lecture was about how mechanical engineers can design a petroleum storage tank.
Prof. Okpala noted that now the Federal Government has deregulated the Petroleum industry, there will be need for more storage tanks. He said that it is necessary for engineers to be conversant with the techniques for the design and structure.
Prof. Alexander, a lecturer at the Niger Delta University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, who delivered a lecture titled: ‘The Role of Mechanical Engineers in API 650 Storage Tanks Plates Design,’ threw light on how to startup and how to do design.
“The lecture will help our people to learn how to design and how to do it within ourselves locally. It will also improve our economy here because so many of the tanks around here are built by outsiders”.
In his remarks, the celebrant, Emeritus Prof Steven Odi-Owei, said upcoming engineers should take pains and have patience to work hard, adding that hard work pays.
“The young ones should be hard-working, diligent and steadfast. They should not be in a hurry. Success comes from hard work”.
He ascribed all his successes to his belief in Jesus Christ.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Yenagoa chapter, Engr. Ayebakuro Henry Jephtha, have extolled the support and cooperation extended to association by persons and corporate bodies, among whom are Engr. Olive Kemenanabo, MD, Bayelsa Electricity Company, Hon Maxwell Okoh, executive chairman/CEO Eraskorp Nigeria Limited, Engr R.P Awana and Engr B.K Yeri.
