•Aims to reverse consumption status
By Maduka Nweke
The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAEng) has planned an ‘Innovation’ competition to discover and engage young Nigerian scientists. NAEng said it believes that Nigeria has all it takes to reel out of the consumption state it finds itself in today and become a productive nation.
At a press conference recently, the President ofNAEng, Prof. Peter Onwualu, said the challenges facing the nation cannot be surmounted if the vibrant young scientists are not engaged.
According to him, “Politicians are talking of leaving the consumption stage to join the production club whereby we will not only manufacture and develop what we need but also export them to increase the nation’s foreign reserve.”
The chairman of the competition, Dr. Chukeluo Chukwuogo, noted that there is need to create awareness for those trying to move the nation forward technically. He said that the competition will be held annually with a national outlook.
While fielding questions on what will make youths embrace the competition, he said that there will be first, second and third positions with various prizes for those who emerge winners. “It will be something people will value and always strive to enroll for that particular purpose. To make the competition fraud-free, those who will select the best will not come from the Academy,” he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Technical Secretary, Bayo Adeola, explained that the NAEng which has been in existence for over five years was established as a voluntary organisation of experienced engineers with some who have been in the profession for over 40 years. He noted that the Academy is a think tank that gives valuable advice to the government on matters concerning engineering.
Adeola noted that the Academy is large and that it is concerned about innovation to contribute to the development of the nation.
He stated that most Nigerians who want to contribute in the development of the infrastructure do not have such oppourtunity. “We use this oppourtunity to create the window to enable those who can develop nuclear sciences and solar energy to avail them of such oppourtunity. It is a competition where those who have one thing or the other to showcase can come.
Whoever participates will be evaluated and rated. Those who excel will be rewarded and recognised. The problem we have is that past achievers are not recognised and that discourages new entrants who would like to make a mark,” he stated.
He said that submission of entries will close on November 27, 2023. In her contribution, the Secretary, Christiana Adelowo, appealed to the public to make the awareness viral so that anyone who has something to present will not say he was not aware.
“We want everyone who is interested and who has something to offer to apply for this competition. This is the maiden competition and as times tick, it will become more interesting like the music fiester and movie series,” she appealed.