By, Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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An educationist and Mechanical Engineer, at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr Abayomi Olorunisola, has identified Mechanical Engineering as a special educational tool for social and economic development of a nation.

Olorunisola gave the submission whole delivering the 26th Prof. E.K. Obiakor Inaugural lecture series of the polytechnic, entitled: Achieving Sustainable Development: The Role of Mechanical Engineers

The senior lecturer posited that the relevance and role of mechanical Engineers towards the realization of sustainable development in Nigeria can never be over-emphasised.

He added that the need for mechanical engineers as agents of sustainable development has become imperative in order to ensure economic growth and industrial prosperity.

The Don emphasized the critical need and the role the Mechanical Engineers to be involved in the economic and industrial development plan of every country.

According to him Singapores success can be attributed to 70% of its cabinet members being engineers and engineers always have a positive impact on government planning

The lecturer described Mechanical Engineers as professionals and technocrats, whose ingenious expertise, innovative dexterity, creative acumen and practical experience will help secure the economic destiny and engender the industrial development of their country.

He, however, called for the revision of   Mechanical Engineering curriculum to address current and future challenges as well as imbue future engineers with innovative skills that will make them problem solvers.

Olorunnisola said that Engineering students must be made to learn the basics of engineering right from school, the application of the basic knowledge, how to become creative or innovative, how to manage and how to plan for sustainable development.