The Nigeria Young Member’s Section of the Institution hosted this 2015’s Speak Out for Engineering (SOfE) competition at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Congratulations to Mr. Paul Chukwudubem Uchime (from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State) the Winner of the First Nigeria HEAT. A total of 100 participants joined the event at Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and the theme of the event was “Harnessing the Nigerian Engineering using locally sourced material”
On the 26 November 2015, the Nigeria Young Members Section of the Institution hosted the Speak Out for Engineering tagged “First Nigeria Heat”. The event which was held at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria was the first of its kind and organised by Ifeanyichukwu U. Onyenanu, Nigeria Young Member Country Representative and Emmanuel Ikpatt, Chairman of the Nigeria Young Member Section.
The event was graced by the presence of Martins Alozie (First Nigerian Young Member Representative for Middle East and Africa) who was the Chairman of the Event and Godwin Amasiaku, Vice Chairman of the Section. Other notable personnel present to witness the competition were Prof. Remy Uche, Head of Department for Mechanical Engineering FUTO and Engr. Chukwuma Aburu representing the Nigeria Society of Engineers, NSE and Nigeria Institution of Mechanical Engineers, NIMechE.
The Nigeria Competition’s judges were: Engr. Chukwunwendu Ilochonwu of the Scientific Equipment Development Institute, Enugu as Chief Judge; Mrs. Celine N. Enukoha of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe; Chuma D. Egboka of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University and Mercy I. Okoli of University of Lagos.
Five enthusiastic and anxious participants from various Universities in Nigeria faced the established panel of judges. They were: Paul C. Uchime of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University; Udoye Chinedu Springs of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akporhuarho Orhie Jephthah from Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; Paula Chisom Okeudo of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and Temidayo Isaiah Oniosun of Federal University of Technology, Akure.
The event officially began at 12:00pm with those who gave short address by the Chairman of the event, followed by a welcome note by Prof. Remy Uche, representing the Host University. Finally the guidelines and competition rules were communicated by the Chief Judge, Engr. Chukwunwendu Ilochonwu.
The competition officially began with Paul C. Uchime representing Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. Paul introduced the audience to his presentation entitled “Alternative Hair attachment (weavon) from indigenous Banana Fibre (Mus serpientum) for fashion and style expression (Alpha Banaweave)”. Starting with a clear and thorough explanation of his research work, everyone, was thrilled with the local content initially reflected in his work.
Next out of the hat was the Nnamdi Azikiwe University candidate, Chinedu S. Udoye whose work was “Design and Development of compressed air vehicles in the Nigerian Automotive Sector”. The presentation continued with Akporhuarho Orhie Jephthah, representing Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, with his work titled “Lubrication in Motor Vehicles; the Specific function of an Oil”. Temidayo Isaiah Oniosun, representing Federal University of Technology, Akure presented on “Development of a Mobile FEWS (Flood Early Warning System)”. Finally, Paula Chisom Okeudo, representing Federal University of Technology, Owerri, concluded the presentation with her work entitled “Cassava Biofuel Plant: design of a renewable and viable energy source”.
With the presentations concluded, the judges were left with a very difficult task due to high quality of presentation and knowledge displayed by participants. After much discussion and deliberations, the judges’ decision was final. The Chief Judge, Engr. C. Ilochonwu, gave the detail of the participant’s results and announce as the winners.
The Chief Judge with the Judging crew announcing the Final Results
The 2
nd Place winner with a prize of £200 was awarded to Miss. Paula Chisom Okeudo representing Federal university of Technology, Owerri and her presentation “Cassava Biofuel Plant: design of a renewable and viable energy source”. The 1
st Place winner with a prize of £300 was awarded to Mr. Paul Chukwudubem Uchime representing Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University and his presentation “Alternative Hair attachment (weavon) from indigenous Banana Fibre (Mus serpientum) for fashion and style expression (Alpha Banaweave)”
As Ifeanyi U Onyenanu, Nigeria Young Member Country Representative stated: “The high quality of presentation and intense competition made the SOFE Competition 2015 a roaring success for all. It is hoped that the engineering students’ pursuit for technical knowledge and competency would be aligned with an equal development in soft skills to be all-rounded individuals, harnessing engineering profession in Nigeria using locally sourced material, in order to contribute towards the development of the society. Well done to our five participants for their presentations and thank you for taking part. Many thanks to our judges for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come along and support the event!” Ifeanyi has since been selected to be the Middle East and Africa Vice Young Member Representative.
Paul C. Uchime the Winner of the event presenting his work
Congratulations Paul and Paula for winning the first maiden edition of the Nigeria Heat.
To read more about the Institution in Nigeria or in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Region please visit the
IMechE Nigeria Near You and
MEA Near You pages of this website.