Uchechukwu Nnaike
6 January 2009
Lagos — The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Chevron joint venture has donated Computer Assisted Design and Drafting (CADD) equipment to the School of Engineering, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).
The equipment, worth over N5 million, consists of 21 computers and accessories with Auto-card software for engineering drawing and design.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at the school premises, Chairman and Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Fred Nelson said the gesture was a demonstration of the company's commitment to investing and boosting education in the country and in other areas where it operates. He said such strategic programmes were aimed at improving the socio-economic situation of people in these areas.
Nelson, who was represented by the Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Joe Jakpa, said the equipment was both a visual and symbol-based method of communication, which could be used in the design of tools and machinery for the manufacturing of components, as well as in the drafting and design of all types of buildings, from small residential types to large commercial and industrial structures.
It could be used by design professionals, who create technical drawings and have no need for automation of repetitive design steps; as well as drafters, who put finishing touches on a design with detailing annotations, links to online data and verification of accuracy.
The equipment, Nelson said, could also be used by contractors, suppliers or operational professionals who need to review a drawing to extrapolate data specific to their businesses, as well as principals and project leaders who need to review and edit a drawing and monitor progress.
While pledging his company's continued investment in the youths, he enjoined the students and teachers to ensure proper use of the equipment so that their successors could use it as well.
Rector of YABATECH, Mr. Olubunmi Owoso commended the company for the gesture, which he said would help to bridge the gap between labour competence and industry requirement in a technologically dynamic and competitive world.
Owoso, who was represented by the Deputy Rector, Administration, Engr. Benjamin Omokwale stressed the need for Nigerian higher institutions to produce graduates with skills and competences relevant to the economic and technological needs of the country. This he said was important for the attainment of the Vision 2020 goal.
Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Dr. Mohammed Baru, who was represented by Mrs. Jane Ashimi said the project was important because, being for educational purposes, adding that Chevron had, by donating the equipment, demonstrated its commitment to the development of Nigerian youths, through capacity building for students in higher institutions, as well as to improve the quality of education in the country.
He urged the students and their teachers to take advantage of all the resources at their disposal to improve themselves and the community.
A student in the department of Mechanical Engineering, Mr. Williams Ibe said students were faced with the challenge of trying to meet the demands of employers, who require knowledge of computer aided designs. He commended the company for the gesture and said it would make learning easier for them and enable them to compete favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world.
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