The Momas Metering School (MMS) recently held a graduation ceremony for participants of its five-week Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design and fabrication programme. The ceremony marked the completion of training for ten Offa youths selected for the first phase of the programme coordinated by One Innovation Hub, Offa, Kwara State, MMS and Summit University, Offa, Kwara State.
During the ceremony, Engr. Kola Balogun, the Chairman of Momas Group, congratulated the graduands on their successful training. He emphasized the importance of electricity, education, and agriculture to Nigeria’s industrialization efforts. The Chairman also highlighted the need to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies in providing innovative solutions to local problems and the importance of including Industry 4.0 technology in all stages of the economy.
In addition to celebrating the success of the graduates, Engr. Balogun also announced the launch of a full metering school, funded by the German government. The school aims to invest in human capital and promote knowledge of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB), which is the heart of electronics such as computers, robotics, and more.
The Chairman of the Academic Board at MMS, Engr. Olorunfemi Ademola explained the process used to select the candidates for the training and the curriculum that led to the graduation ceremony. He expressed confidence in the graduates’ abilities and welcomed them to join the over 4,000 alumni of MMS.
In his goodwill message, the Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, commended the Momas Group Chairman for his unwavering efforts towards youth capacity building and development. He assured the audience that the knowledge and experience gained by the graduates would be properly utilized in achieving the Offa Smart City initiative.
Professor Aibinu further explained that four of the graduates that are from SUN, Offa were carefully selected among their peers and would be given office space at the Research and Innovation Unit on campus to domesticate the knowledge they have gained and transform final-year projects on campus into market-ready prototypes. He also announced that efforts would be made to seek funding via research grants to embark on various projects that would help solve electrical challenges in the university and the city.
Dr. Waheed Olagunju, Chairman of One Innovation Hub (ONEIH), Offa, stressed the importance of the skills acquired by the graduates to the realization of the Offa Smart City initiative. He also called on the graduates to contribute their skills to the attainment of the Offa Tuntun paradigm, which is presently being championed by HRH Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II.
The Chief Operating Officer of ONEIH, Engr. Tunde Kazeem, expressed his delight at the initiative and the successful implementation of the program. He tasked the graduates with organizing similar training programs for other people in Offa, so that the skills they have acquired will permeate throughout the city.
In her remarks, Eng. Dr. Atinuke Wuraola Owolabi (FNIEEE, MNSE, C.Engr) advised the graduates to adopt the 5-P Policy in their subsequent engagements. The 5-P Policy initiatives include Purpose, Plan, Passion, Patience, and Pursuit. She suggested ways of decolonizing the skills acquired at MMS and making them beneficial to humanity while also translating those skills beyond PCB making.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of certificates to all the participants and the presentation of special awards to the graduates. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Alhaji Rasaq Jaiyeola, the Chief Consultant/CEO of A. J. Silicon-Tech Limited, QS Bisi Salau, Board member of ONEIH, representative of the President of Offa Descendant Union, Alh. Muideen Salako, representative of Summit University, and Mr. Ibrahim Salawu and Hon. Seun Ogunniyi Adato, Member-elect, Kwara State House of Assembly and Mr. Muhideen Ibrahim.