The Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen (NAEC), FUNAAB Chapter, has been inaugurated in the University. The Association has one of its major objectives of harmonising all competent and practicing artisans, craftsmen as well as technicians in the various engineering fields at the federal, states and local government levels. Speaking at the event, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ololade Enikuomehin, stressed the importance of engineering craftsmen at realising the conceptualising stage of the engineers. Represented by the Director, Academic Planning, Professor Olusola Adeniran, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, stated that engineering craftsmen had helped at bringing about the beauty of all designs and ideas that engineers had in mind, noting that this had showed how much they had fulfilment in human activities and endeavours.
The Chairman of NAEC, FUNAAB Chapter, Mr. Ademola Sobote, emphasised the significance of the association, noting that the Society was not a trade union on campus, but an association of competent artisans, craftsmen and technicians. He stated that the association was duly-recognised by the Federal Government, under the auspices of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). According to him, “We are the one, who interprets the minds of, and brings into reality, the conceived ideas and vision of engineers in our various engineering fields and disciplines; such as civil, mechanical, electrical and agricultural engineering fields”. He added that NAEC members were critical to the overall engineering family, noting that without NAEC members, the visions of engineers would not become a reality.
The Chairman appreciated the University Management for its support, pledging the association’s loyalty and dedication to duties at the various fields of disciplines for the growth, development and expansion of the University. Delivering his address, the Acting Chairman of NAEC, Ogun State, Engineer Omotunde Sunday said that the association was established as a professional body for craftsmen, after the amendment of Decree 55 of 1970, adding that Decree 27 of 1992 as amended, had empowered COREN to register and regulate the practice of other cadres of engineering personnel in Nigeria. Engineer Sunday noted that the association would be having a National Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, between November 9 and 10, 2017.
According to him, the National Conference and AGM would afford all craftsmen to meet, share opinions and rub minds for the advancement of technology. He, therefore, assured the University Management that the efficiency of engineering craftsmen on campus would be enhanced through the inauguration of NAEC. In his words of admonition, Engineer (Professor) Emmanuel Ajisegiri said that the engineering family was like a body which could not do without one another, other than to work hand-in-hand with each other, to bring about excellent and great results. Ajisegiri, a Professor of Agricultural Engineering, stated that without the artisans and craftsmen, engineering could not be practiced properly. He admonished NAEC members that, in any midst or chain of organisation they found themselves either as a technologist, technician, scientist, engineer, among others, they “are as important as every other person in the world”.
The Special Guest of Honour, Professor Samuel Adejuyigbe, a former Dean, College of Engineering (COLENG) of the University and currently with the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, was represented by Dr. Daniel Okuo, encouraged NAEC members to be committed to the tenets of the engineering profession in the discharge of their duties. Highpoint of the inauguration were the delivery of goodwill messages by representatives of the Registry; the Deputy Registrar II, Senate and Admissions, Mrs. Maria Popoola, as well as that of the Bursary Department; Mrs. Adejoke Kolawole, who both clamoured for the need for women to be inducted as members to ensure gender balance. Other goodwill messages were received from the Acting Director, Works and Services, Engineer Kehinde Ajiboye; the Chairman of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), FUNAAB Branch, Comrade Rotimi Fasunwon; the Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU), FUNAAB Branch, Comrade Ishaq Odunjo, and other national and state executive officers.