The National Engineering Science and Technology Essay Competition (NESTEC) selected three winners at the Grand Finale of the competition held in Sheraton Hotel, Lagos. This was after series of thorough screening carried out by reputable assessors both from academia and industry. Amongst whom were; Associate Professor of the Electrical Engineering, University of Lagos, (Dr) Tolulope Akinbulire, Engr Kofo Popoola a principal lecturer Department of Building, University of Lagos, Engr Victor Akpan, CEO Vicak Consult Ltd and Engr Emeka Ibeh CEO Celmar Technologies Ltd.
Abdulbaki A. Ahmad, an Electrical Engineering student of Kano State University of Science and Technology bagged the grand prize of 300,000 naira. He presented a technical paper titled “Smart Grid: The Viable Route to Trouncing Nigeria’s Recurring System Collapses”.
Also, Wojuola Oladamola a student of Metallurgical and Material Engineering of the University of Nigeria Nsukka bagged the prize money of 250,000 Naira. His paper titled “ Additive Manufacturing Technology an Imperative for Best Manufacturing Practices” earned him the second place.
The third-place winner was Ntah Franklin Eberechukwu, a student of Electrical Electronics Engineering of Yaba College of Technology, whose paper was titled “Use of Biogas in Relevance to The Needs of the Nigerian Society”. He also won 200,000naira as prize.
The CEO of Blue Apple and brain behind the National Engineering Science and Technology Essay Competition, Engr Akan Michael in his opening remarks said that the gathering was to unveil the Integrated National Technology Blueprint, a private initiative and that NESTEC is the first module to it. He said NESTEC was born out of the need to raise a generation of young creative engineers who would address the lapses in the engineering practice in Nigeria. He denounced the nation’s continuous dependent on foreign companies and governments for engineering developmental project even when there are enabling laws and policies to protect and encourage the Nigerian engineers to function.
Blue Apple has developed an Integrated National Technology Blueprint that will assist in the development of the engineering profession for the nation. Our mission is to contribute to moving Nigeria from developing technology to a developed technology nation using a 3-pronged approach. This will be achieved through different modules of programs designed to meet global standards.
The first approach is to raise 5,000 young engineers in 5 years with a clear understanding of the processes of developmental engineering entrepreneurship through innovative ideas. These young engineering students and personnel would be guided, mentored and trained to key into both national and global opportunities in engineering practices.
The second phase to the Integrated National Technology Blueprint is the training and developing of young minds from age 6 and above on current innovative trend such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Robotics, Blockchain, Web Programming, Coding, Cyber Security, Drone, Machine Learning, Big Data etc. He mentioned that the training program will commence early next year
The third phase is to harness innovative ideas and inventions through a platform called Hands and Brain Innovative Technology Summit, HaBITS. HaBITS is planned to take place in June 2020 in Lagos. The summit seeks to close the gap between;
- Prototype and Commercialization
- Academic and Industry
According to him, Blue Apple is seeking partnership with National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP to meet these goals.
The Chairman of the occasion Engr. Etido Inyang, chairman Ibom Power Plant Limited and the special guest of honour Prof F.A Falade, Dean of Faculty of Engineering University of Lagos both applauded the initiative and seek for both public and government supports. They were both represented by Engr. Nsikak John Affia, a lecturer at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Ikot Osurua and Engr (Dr) Tolulope Akinbulire of University of Lagos respectively.
Engr. Peter Aniegbunem who represented the DG/CEO of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP said he was impressed by the initiative especially the planned Hands and Brain Innovative Technolgy Summit where prototypes would be commercialized. He said he will report what he has seen for management action in line with Blue Apple request for partnership.
Also in attendance were CEO Lagos Energy Academy Mr Oluleke Adegbola, Immediate Past National Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, NIEEE, Engr Emmanuel Akinwole, Immediate Past Lagos Chapter Chairman of NIEEE, Engr Mojeed Olaosegba, current Lagos Chapter Chairman of NIEEE, Engr Adebayo Olusodo, a techpreneur and CEO Biometric Schedule, Mr Ekerete Akan and wife and students from across the country.
