|
Listen to article
|
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has feted former Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji, on his 67th birthday, noting that he’s a national asset.
The National Publicity Secretary of the group, Alex Ogbonnia, issued a statement on Thursday in Enugu, in which he included a commendation for former Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji.
Mr. Ogbonnia stated that Ohaneze, along with many others from both within and outside the country, sends its warm regards to Mr. Nnaji, an admirable Igbo figure, accomplished academic, robotics engineer, industrialist, and two-time Nigerian minister, as he celebrates his 67th birthday.
‘At a time most Nigerian engineers and scientists have taken to political opportunism, hypocrisy and praise singing, Nnaji has remained focused in harnessing the indigenous resource endowments and potential for a sustainable national development.’
‘The quintessential professor of engineering and founder/ chairman of the Geometric Power Ltd, recently informed that the 188-megawatt Geometric Power plant in Aba, Abia State would start to generate electricity within two months,’ he added.
Read also: Power: How Discos Generated ₦480bn In 6 Months – NBS
He noted that the ‘generation of electricity from the Geometric Power plant would be a game changer in the socio-economic development of not just Aba City but nine out of the 17 local government areas in Abia serviced by Aba Power.’
The group made mention of Mr. Nnaji’s outstanding contributions to the fields of Computer-Aided Design, Robotics, and Computer Aided Engineering.
Recognized as a global icon, his expertise as a professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering has garnered great acclaim.
‘Our own Nnaji introduced a phrase, globally known as ‘geometric reasoning’; the idea that most things we operate have a geometric configuration.’
‘He is also known ‘as one of the innovators of the e-design concept, where product design engineers can work from remote locations collaboratively to design, assemble and test the same product, using the computer and the Internet.’
In terms of Mr. Nnaji’s engagement in the socio-political sphere, the group outlined his achievements as a two-time minister and highlighted his crucial roles as the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power (June 2010 – July 2011), the Special Adviser to the President on Power (June 2010 – July 2011), and his past membership in the Presidential Advisory Council.
Mr. Ogbonnia elaborated on Mr. Nnaji’s remarkable career by spotlighting his past directorship at the US National Science Foundation Centre for e-Design, University of Pittsburgh.
Additionally, Mr. Nnaji’s noteworthy positions as the former Kepler Whiteford Professor of Engineering and the former Alcoa Foundation Professor of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh were also acknowledged, among several other distinguished roles.
‘The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, in his enthusiasm to redirect the thought process of the Igbo towards a home-ward industrial renaissance, takes immense delight in personalities with turn-key initiatives of Nnaji.’
‘Iwuanyanwu calls on our scientists, technologists and engineering professors to emulate Nnaji for a prosperous Igbo land,’ the statement read.
It was further highlighted that Mr. Nnaji had a remarkable professional background, which included his former directorship at the US National Science Foundation Centre for e-Design, University of Pittsburgh.
He held respected positions as the former Kepler Whiteford Professor of Engineering and the former Alcoa Foundation Professor of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, in addition to several other noteworthy appointments.
