ANOTHER FIRST: Osun Establishes Its Own Automotive Mechatronics Specialist Institute

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. This is part of its continued quest to make life more meaningful for the citizen, create more job opportunities for youths and enhance their capacities.

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.

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 emphasized that the exercise is purely a practical delivery project as trainees shall be tested and certified before graduation from the centre.