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June 1, 2014
Osun To Establish The First Automotive Mechatronics Institute In Nigeria; Sends 30 Abroad For Training
In its continued quest to make life more meaningful for the citizen, create more job opportunities for youths and enhance their capacities the Government of the state of Osun is establishing an Automotive Mechatronics Specialist Institute christened “Bola Ige Mechatronics Institute (BIMI) hosted by the Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke.
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the institute, when completed, will be be the first in Nigeria.
He pointed out that the institute will deal with the latest technology involved in modern vehicles which consist of combined electro-mechanical systems with fully automated controls termed “mechatronics” that reduce use of kilos of wires making way for light weight and greater efficient motor vehicles of today.
The statement also revealed that the state has concluded arrangement to send 30 indigenes of the state to Germany to master the technology.
The Communications Director added that fund for the project is an intervention soft loan provision by the National Automotive Council using part of its Auto Development Fund Loan Scheme domiciled with the Bank of Industry (BOI).
According to him, ” Osun is the first of all States and Federal Institutions to establish this World class Automotive Skill-gap Bridge in Nigeria meant for promoting skills needed for employability of our graduates, technicians and improvement for artisans in the sector.
“End-user training and associated maintenance support for 2-years was integrated to allow Osun workers master the repairs and routine maintenance under leadership understudy scheme.
” Following due process, advertisement was placed to attract qualified automotive, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians who were tested/recruited and shall be going for a 2-month in-plant, end-user training at LN, Germany from 5th May – 30th June, 2014 before returning to participate in the installation and commissioning at Esa-Oke”. He stressed.
Okanlawon added that the local experts having trained in Germany will in turn serve as train-the-trainers to train other Nigerians at Esa-Oke .
He emphasised that the exercise is purely a practical delivery project as trainees shall be tested and certified before graduation from the centre.
”Our auto engineers, technicians and mechanics are getting out of job because of technological changes as the era of trial-and-error to fix auto maintenance is gone. Everything is knowledge-based and Osun is ready to empower not only the indigenes but all Nigerians willing to seek knowledge at the BIMI, Esa-Oke.
“We plan to offer through National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) & National Universities Commission (NUC) approval for upgrade of the polytechnic syllabus, a degree course on Auto Mechatronics using the facilities in future”. He pointed out in the statement.
