From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Owerri Branch, has called for an urgent technological transformation of Nigeria’s agrarian economy to facilitate the conversion of raw agricultural materials into finished and semi-finished products, create employment and generate greater economic value within the country.
The call was made during the 10th Engr. Emmanuel C. Iwuanyanwu Annual Lecture Series, held at the Engineering Centre, Owerri, with the theme: “Advocacy for Good Governance and Engineering Interventions for Sustainable Development.”
The sub-theme was: “From Raw Materials to Finished Goods: Value Addition through Technological Transformation of the Nigerian Agrarian Economy.”
The lecture series emphasised the need for greater collaboration among government, private investors, engineers and other professionals to develop Nigeria’s agricultural sector and maximise its enormous economic potential.
Speakers at the event stressed that effective processing and value addition to agricultural products would help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods, increase local production, create jobs and strengthen the nation’s economy.
Delivering the lecture, Professor N. A. A. Okereke, a Professor of Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), said technological transformation of the agricultural sector was essential to reducing unemployment and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
According to him, agriculture has enormous potential to reduce unemployment, increase food production and create wealth if its value chains are properly developed.
He advocated a shift from the exportation of raw agricultural commodities to the processing of such products into finished and semi-finished goods within Nigeria.
Prof. Okereke maintained that technological transformation of the agricultural sector would create employment opportunities, improve food security and strengthen the country’s economy.
He therefore called on government and other stakeholders to support agricultural processing and industrialisation through investments in modern technology, infrastructure and other critical enablers.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the NSE, Owerri Branch, Engr. Chibuike Onyejietu, FNSE, commended Prof. Okereke for delivering what he described as an insightful lecture at the 10th edition of the annual series.
He also expressed appreciation to Lady Frances Iwuanyanwu, wife of the late elder statesman and engineer, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba, as well as the entire Iwuanyanwu family, for sustaining the legacy of the late engineering icon.
Onyejietu further acknowledged the presence and leadership of the President and Chairman-in-Council of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, who chaired the occasion.
He said members of the NSE, Owerri Branch, appreciated Rabiu’s leadership and contributions to the engineering profession.
Speaking on the theme of the event, Onyejietu said engineers had a responsibility to translate ideas into practical solutions capable of driving national development.
“As engineers, we have a responsibility to move this country from ideas to implementation; from raw materials to finished products, from dependence to production, and from promises to measurable development.
“Good governance must create the environment for engineering solutions to thrive, while engineers must provide the technology, innovation and professional discipline required to transform our economy,” he said.
As he prepares to leave office as Chairman of the NSE, Owerri Branch, Onyejietu said he was leaving with the conviction that engineers must focus on developing solutions to the country’s challenges rather than merely identifying the problems.
“Our job is not merely to complain about the problems of Nigeria; our job is to engineer the solutions.
“The enduring legacy of Engr. (Dr.) Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, FNSE, OFR, CFR, MFR, FNICE, ALOHA, challenges us to build, innovate, add value and leave Nigeria better than we met it.
“Nigeria must produce. Nigeria must transform. And Nigeria must build,” he concluded.
Iwuanyanwu Lecture Series: NSE Calls for Tech Revolution in Agric Sector
