NESTEC 2021: Winners Emerge As Ani Kenechukwu Paul Clinches First Prize -

It was a long journey to victory as the second edition of the National Engineering Science and Technology Essay Competition, NESTEC came to a close. The event anchored by Blue Apple is an annual event held on the second weekend of November. This year’s event was shifted to hold with the convener’s investiture as the 20th National Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, NIEEE.The event for this year was in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, NIEEE with 9 finalists coveting the awards.

The two-in-one event was held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja with dignitaries from across all sectors in attendance.

The Chairman of the occasion for NESTEC Engr Prof Mohammed Haruna, the Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency For Science And Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) was represented by Engr Prof Bagudu Gwandangaji Danshehu, Coordinating Director Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI. The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Mr Abdulraheed Bawa was represented by Mr Mohammed Bello, Director of ICT, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami was represented by Engr Enwerem Chidi, Engr Dr Joshua Attah, Coordinator, Special Projects, the National Universities Commission was in attendance. The Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Malam Farouq Salim was represented by Engr Richard Adewumi, Director, Management Systems Certification.

Others in attendance were, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers -NSE, Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil who was chairman of the occasion for the investiture ably represented by the Vice President of NSE, Engr. C. I Okolie, Engr. Baki Wakil, Director Technical Standard, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Chairman, Board of Directors Engr Kasim Ali and Managing Director, Prof Mohammed Ndaliman both of Scientific Equipment Development Institute, SEDI, Mina. Past Chairmen of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers were in attendance.

The keynote address was delivered by Engr Dr Felicia Nnena Agubata, Past President, Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria, APWEN

Engr Agubata who thanked the Blue Apple and NIEEE for the honour to be the keynote speaker described the event to be a game changing one with cross fertilization of ideas from engineering professionals, mentors and policy makers, urged the youths to devote their thoughts on how to harness the benefits of STEM education going forward .

She said youths are unarguably at the center of STEM learning and potentially the most likely group to benefit from STEM orientation.

“STEM proficiency remains a key driver of innovation, economic growth and ultimately national security. Some of the most coveted and scarce skills today are in the fields of cyber-security and we must find a way to rapidly percolate STEM -knowledge within the ranks of our youths and indeed the entire society .

Explaining the importance, Agubata said STEM is not just about tech companies, neither is about people who wear lab coats but skills which are needed in the many millions of jobs that will have to be filled in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, food production , military and perhaps most significantly, health care.

“There is no industry that does not need more workers with science and math know-how. The skill gaps and demands are not just at the high end but also at the middle and low ends. The need for STEM skills can never be overemphasized hence the immediate need for STEM Orientation and education .

“STEM Education is more than a set of academic courses. It gives us skill sets that enable us to refocus our thinking and actions. In so doing, we can project into the future with clear plans and matching action steps.

Increased demand for STEM skills is evident despite a key shortcoming in the STEM Index.

“STEM Education equips students with skills that make them focused on deliverable scientific values with potentials for global impact; it makes them more employable and better prepared to advance human knowledge and civilization. It offers a wide range of experiences and abilities and each component contributes to a well-rounded education in its own way”.

Engr. Agubata also stressed that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines are concerned with finding solutions to societal problems. Noting that years of careless depletion of natural resources had occurred throughout human history. A lack of environmental education resulted in a slew of issues.

“These problems have an impact on the health and well-being of all living things on the earth. Our ecology must be safeguarded. As a result, one of the most pressing issues investigated by STEM fields has become sustainability. Climate change concerns the youth more than the older generation.

“According to studies, 70% of young adults aged 18 to 34 are concerned about global warming. STEM education can provide answers to their concerns. It can teach them how to locate the solutions that are required for long-term development.

“Education is a powerful instrument for ensuring that a STEM-literate society emerges. In a competitive environment, well-educated community members can find ways to work collaboratively . They will employ environmentally friendly procedures. In the grand scheme of things, economic and social progress are enmeshed with the environment.

“We must work toward a more sustainable future. STEM skills, experiences, and a multi-disciplinary approach will pave the way for solutions to evolving global challenges, she added.

Former President of APWEN who spoke about teamwork and effective communication, however advised STEM student to have less concern about being an expert in each particular subject but rather focus on developing a mindset that allows them become a member of a highly qualified, collaborative workforce. Saying productivity, job satisfaction, and profitability rise when people work together.

“STEM education teaches students how to communicate effectively across disciplines”, she said.

In his remark, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers -NSE, Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil ably represented by the Vice President of NSE, Engr. C. I Okolie, expressed his vote of thanks to all NIEEE member for the massive support rendered to the administration and throughout his journey to position of the 33rd President of NSE.

He however assured the body of running an exclusive administration where every member of NSE will have a voice and contribute immensely to the professional development of the society and also seekes the collaboration of NIEEE National Chairman and Excos to enable his administration deliver on its agenda and effectively Promote the interest of Nigerian Engineers as well as the fortunes of the engineering profession in the country.

In his prayer to the newly NIEEE National Chairman, Engr. Michael Akan, he stated, “His success will be measured in the output of researches and advancement of professionalism in the practice of Electrical Engineering.”

Disclosing their expectations, Engr Gidari-Wudil said the body expects constructive contributions and practical professional advice aimed at assisting Nigeria’s political leaders to surmount the challenges of power in the country.

Also Speaking, the newly National Chairman of NIEEE, Engr. Michael Akan, revealed the the Institute seeks the partnership of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to assist in training and channeling youths talents for the development of the nation. He said he is glad the representative welcomed the proposal.

Expressing his views on mentorship, training and sponsorship of young engineering students as well as commercializing their skills, Engr. Akan spoke on incorporating standard into Nigerian university courses.

The new National Chairman also said the journey is a continues one as there’s a roadmap of development for the Institute and to continue pressing for the bill for Chartered Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of Nigeria to become an Act.

“The Act is to harness the potentials therein amongst all and ensure competency as well as weed off quakery in the profession. We are also going to work hard to continue to develop professionally and also engage more in the education of our people because it’s important to train our members as much as possible,” he explained.

The out-going National Chairman, Engr. Kings Adeyemi, who emphasized on continuity disclosed that every decision made was in full consultation with the new National Chairman who’s also very much aware of the background that led to the decisions made.

Engr. Adeyemi haven described Engr. Akan as Man whose idealogy is driven by standard, stressed on continues pressing on the bill that’s before the National Assembly as the Electrical Electronics Engineering is the bed rock of development of any nation. “So,the more we can be specialized in Engineering practice the better for the nation”.

The hallmark of the occasion was the swore-in of new National Chairman alongside with Exco members as well as presentation of 2021 Prize Award to 9 finalists of National Engineering Science and Technology Essay Competition – NESTEC.

Ani Kenechukwu of University of Nigeria, Nsukka emerged the winner of 2021 NESTEC with prize money of N500,000; Metu Amara of Federal University of Technology, Owerri came second with N300,000 as prize money and the third place winner was Adeniyi Muhammad Adebayo of Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil with N200, 000. Other finalists went home with consolation prizes.

NESTEC 2022 will hold on 11th November. The call for papers will commence in March 2022. The objectives of NESTEC are;

i.Unlocking the untapped resources among our youths in the field of engineering and capacity development.