By Chinonso Alozie

OWERRI — The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Owerri Branch, has called for urgent technological transformation of Nigeria’s agricultural sector to facilitate the conversion of raw materials into finished products and create more economic value.

The call was made at the 10th Engr. Emmanuel C. Iwuanyanwu Annual Lecture Series held at the Owerri Engineering Centre, Owerri, with the theme, “Advocacy for Good Governance and Engineering Interventions for Sustainable Development.”

The lecture had as its sub-theme, “From Raw Materials to Finished Goods, Value Addition through Technological Transformation of the Nigerian Agrarian Economy.”

Participants at the event called for stronger collaboration among government, private investors, engineers and other professionals to develop the agricultural sector and maximise its economic potential.

They said effective processing of agricultural products would help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods, increase local production and create employment opportunities.

Delivering the lecture, Professor N. A. A. Okereke, a professor of engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, said technological transformation of the agricultural sector was necessary to reduce unemployment and create economic opportunities.

Okereke said agriculture had significant potential to increase food production, create wealth and reduce unemployment if properly harnessed.

He urged Nigeria to move away from exporting raw agricultural products and focus on processing them into finished and semi-finished products.

According to him, technological transformation of the sector would create jobs, improve food security and strengthen the economy.

He called on the government and other stakeholders to support agricultural processing and industrialisation through investments in modern technology and infrastructure.

Earlier, Chairman of the NSE, Owerri Branch, Engr. Chibuike Onyejietu, FNSE, commended Okereke for delivering the 10th edition of the lecture series.

Onyejietu also appreciated Lady Frances Iwuanyanwu, wife of the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and the entire Iwuanyanwu family for sustaining the legacy of the late engineer and former NSE president.

He noted that the lecture was held under the chairmanship of the President and Chairman-in-Council of the NSE, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, whom he commended for his leadership.

Speaking on the theme, Onyejietu said engineers had a responsibility to translate ideas into practical solutions capable of driving national development.

“As engineers, we have a responsibility to move this country from ideas to implementation; from raw materials to finished products, from dependence to production, and from promises to measurable development,” he said.

He added that good governance should provide an enabling environment for engineering solutions, while engineers must contribute technology, innovation and professional discipline to economic transformation.

As he prepares to leave office as chairman of the NSE Owerri Branch, Onyejietu said his major conviction was that engineers should focus on developing solutions rather than merely highlighting the country’s problems.

“Our job is not merely to complain about the problems of Nigeria; our job is to engineer the solutions,” he said.

He said the legacy of Iwuanyanwu should challenge Nigerian engineers to build, innovate and add value to the economy.

“Nigeria must produce. Nigeria must transform. And Nigeria must build,” Onyejietu said.