NIAE National Chairman Amongst Dignitaries at Maiden Inauguration/Investiture of Bayelsa NIAE Chairman

By Amos Odhe.

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural
Engineers ( NIAE ) was among the dignatries that graced the epoch making of its chapter in Yenagoa,Bayelsa state .
Speaking shortly after the inauguration/ investiture,the National Chairman of NIAE, Engr.Prof Folarin Alonge who described the event as historic and apt, charged the newly elected executive , headed by Engr. Idibiye David , MNSE,MNIAE to ensure they work as a team and embark on aggressive membership and hold regular meetings and activities that would promote and enhance the image of the branch and the institution to the admiration of all stakeholders.” From today feel free to add to your names, the revered title of MNIAE” he said.

Other dignatries were the chairman, Bayelsa state post primary schools Board, High chief Millionaire Asamgba, former commissioner of Information, orientation and Strategy, Dr Robinson Obuebite, South – South Chairman of NIAE, Engr. Pastor Ubong Augustine and chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr.James Karimo Sokari.

In his welcome address, an elated brand new chairman of NIAE, Bayelsa state branch, Engr. Idibiye David, MNSE, MNIAE, posited that un behalf the executive,the ideal which informed the foundation of the institution shall never be compromised ,as they promised to strive to raise the bar they inherit.
He said” needles to say the NIAE is one of the divisions of the Nigerian Society of Engineers ( NSE).But specifically,our organization is inextricably bound up with the Agricultural profession ,that is, ours is responsible for promoting the frontiers of the science and art of engineering in Agricultural”

He further stated that the Agricultural Engineer helps to make farming easier , sustainable ,safe and environmentally friendly, as they analyse agricultural operations and weigh the use of the new technologies and methods to increase yields and the expertise acquired by the Agricultural Engineers are deployed to improve land use and conserve resources such as seeds, water, fertilizer , pesticides and fuel and also equiped with the know – how to design farm mechinery , locate suitable land for farming ,plan ideal farm structure , construct farm drainages among others.

“In the light of the above ,the role of our dear profession in any nation,s economy or state,s economy cannot be undermined , if humanity must continue to exist ” he said.

The special guest of honour, the Bayelsa state commissioner of Agriculture and Natural resources Chief David Alagoa, disclosed that the state government has declare state of emergency on Agriculture and that has manifested in establishing of Starch factory at Ebedbiri and Fish farm at Yenegue as well as massive investment in rice, fish and cassava, adding that a lot is happening in the Agricultural sector of the state economy.

He further added that the ministry has being engaging Agricultural Engineers in most of its project and would continue to tap their profession to enhance food sufficiency in the state.

In their good will messages a former commissioner of Information, orientation and Strategy, Dr Robinson Obuebite and the chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers ( NSE) Engr James Karimo Sokari and the South – South Chairman of NIAE, Engr. Pastor Ubong Augustine urged the branch to embark on census of its professionals to be involved in it’s acitivities to be able to secure jobs to practice their profession. They also admnonish the new Exco to work diligently as a team and avoid anything that will breed chaos and leadership tussle, but ensure there is loyalty and unity among them for them to achieve their heart desires.They are also described the inauguration as historic and guard it for posterity.
Just as those inaugurated were told that henceforth, they were free to add to their names the prefix of MNIAE.

While the chairman of the planning Committee, Engr.Igodo Enieni Samson , MINEA , disclosed that the theme of the inauguration/investiture is ” Agriculture Engineering :the core profession for societal problem solving in Nigeria” said various sub themes have been carefully selected to effectively address the subject.

Delivering his lecture a university don, Engr. Dr Domoyi Castro Matthew of the Niger Delta University , Wilberforce Island in his paper titled ” Agricultural Engineering :The core profession in solving societal problems”
High point at the occasion was the swearing in of the new executive officer and induction of the students into NIAE who were told that they were free to operate and organize their programs within higher institutions such as universities, Colleges of Agriculture and polytechnic were Agricultural Engineering is offered. They were equally enjoined and implored to be good ambassadors of NIAE until they graduate .