By Michael Ovat
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Onitsha Branch, has expressed its readiness to partner with John Zobis Group of Companies Limited, manufacturers of Zobis Wires and Cables, in a strategic collaboration aimed at empowering professional engineers, promoting indigenous industrial capacity and advancing engineering development in Anambra State and Nigeria.
The proposed partnership formed part of the outcome of an extensive technical inspection of the Zobis Wires and Cables production facility located at Odekpe, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, by the leadership and members of the NSE Onitsha Branch.
Speaking during an interactive session with the press shortly after the inspection on Tuesday, the Chairman of NSE Onitsha Branch, Engr. Okey Nwosu, MNSE, said the branch had developed a strategic action plan aimed at strengthening engineering practice, creating opportunities for professional engineers and positioning engineering as a key driver of economic and technological development.
According to him, the NSE Onitsha Branch intends to achieve this through strategic partnerships with key stakeholders across different sectors of society, including the engineering industry, media, technology hubs, indigenous businesses, professional and economic organizations, as well as passionate individuals committed to national development.
He said the branch was also working towards building an Engineering Innovation Hub in Onitsha, establishing the NSE-Onitsha Online Engineering Resources Portal and creating a networking platform that would connect engineering students undertaking Industrial Training (IT), engineering graduates and NYSC members with engineering backgrounds to practical opportunities within the industry.
Nwosu expressed satisfaction with the quality, standards and production processes observed during the inspection of the Zobis facility, describing the company as one of the best indigenous producers of electrical wires and cables in Nigeria.
According to him, the inspection demonstrated that Nigerian entrepreneurs and industries could compete effectively when given the right environment and support.
“What we just observed today in this factory has proven to us that Nigeria still has individuals with the fear of God and the commitment to producing quality products that can satisfy our taste for Made-in-Nigeria products.
“We are ready to partner with the company to encourage and sustain its commitment to quality.
“The partnership will equally assist NSE in Anambra and the country as a whole to empower professional engineers through employment and business opportunities, particularly at a time when the profession is facing low patronage due to the high rate of quackery.”
The NSE Chairman said the proposed collaboration would foster technological advancement and strengthen the relationship between industry and professional engineering practice.
He added that the inspection tour provided an opportunity for the NSE Onitsha Branch to explore areas of collaboration with Zobis that would promote industrial development, engineering standards and professional growth.
“We will be excited about the opportunity to work with Zobis Group, not only to solve technical problems but also to support the growth and development of future engineers in Nigeria.”
Nwosu reiterated the readiness of the NSE Onitsha Branch to build a mutually beneficial relationship with Zobis, noting that the Society was committed to identifying and supporting indigenous companies whose activities contribute to Nigeria’s industrial and technological development.
The NSE Chairman commended Zobis for its resilience and achievements in building a reputable Nigerian brand with growing recognition locally and internationally.
He also appealed to governments at all levels to provide an enabling environment for indigenous manufacturers, particularly through improved and reliable electricity supply, which he said would enhance productivity and enable companies such as Zobis to sustain their standards and expand their operations.
In his welcome address, the General Manager of Zobis Wires and Cables, Engr. Arinze Okwuosa, expressed appreciation to the NSE Onitsha Branch for undertaking the technical inspection and for its interest in supporting indigenous engineering and industrial development.
Okwuosa said Zobis would develop a plan to spearhead engineering advocacy in collaboration with other NSE branches, NSE divisions and relevant organizations, particularly in the areas of engineering standards, state-of-the-art industrial workshops and NYSC-industry mapping.
“I commend your commitment to developing indigenous capacity.
“The platform you have provided has greatly enhanced the competence of Nigerian engineering professionals, putting them on par with their peers across the globe.”
He stressed the need for the discussions and observations arising from the inspection to be translated into concrete and measurable outcomes, expressing optimism that the engagement would mark the beginning of a strategic relationship between the NSE and Zobis.
The inspection exercise signals a promising beginning for a partnership that is expected to promote indigenous industrial capacity, strengthen professional engineering practice, create opportunities for engineers and contribute to the technological and economic development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
The inspection team also included representatives of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Anambra State, alongside members of the NSE Onitsha Branch and the management team of Zobis Wires and Cables Limited.
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