The Federal University of Technology, Akure, will soon score another first among its peers by organizing an auto fair and workshop to transform and develop the automobile industry in Nigeria. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi G. Daramola addressed a press conference to highlight the importance of the fair and its benefits to different stakeholders.
Professor Daramola described the Fair as a win-win programme. “The University has a rich pool of intellectuals from which the Nigerian Automobile industry can benefit and the University, too, without doubt would gain from innovations in the automobile industry. This is one of the vision of my administration to take FUTA to the market place”, Daramola said.
According to Professor Daramola, one of the objectives of the auto fair is to further educate people on the importance and advantages of buying new vehicle which is invariably cost effective with lots of benefits. Also, the workshop will pave way for training of local roadside mechanics on innovative and modern way of performing their tasks. Professor Daramola said “FUTA through this auto fair and workshop will attract roadside mechanics, panel beaters, and other people that matter in automobile industry to her skill acquisition progamme. This will further help to enhance their skills which will give them the edge and enable them to serve the public better. We have the manpower in our mechanical, material and metallurgical, industrial design, computer and electrical/electronic engineering departments who are ready to train those outside”.
Responding to a question on what the University has done to build or assemble made-in-Nigeria car, the University’s helmsman said “We have a lot of engineering research. A lot of our scholars have done lots of research. We are just entering the phase of taking FUTA to the market place by showcasing our skills and potentials. This is what the workshop will address. During this auto fair and workshop, we will prove to the whole world again that FUTA is the University to beat in the field of Technology”.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Filkmou Limited, the organization partnering with the University’s Advancement Centre for the auto fair, Mr. Clifford Omoye said with the reputation the University has in the education industry coupled with the vision of its management to take FUTA to the market place, he was sure the auto fair and workshop will be a huge success. According to him, Filkmou Limited’s responsibility is to further develop the automobile industry such that the masses will know basic technical know-now of car maintenance.
The Acting Director, FUTA Advancement Centre, Dr. Peter Aborisade said the aim of the proposed auto fair and workshop is to key into the vision of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola to take FUTA to the market place. This is because any unshared
knowledge, kept to the self is no knowledge. He said the auto fair and workshop will provide hands-on training to stakeholders in the automobile industry which will eventually enhance community development.
The auto fair and workshop scheduled to hold between 20th and 26th August, 2013 is open to all automobile industries and marketers in Nigeria.
