Seven final-year engineering students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, have designed and constructed a mini bus from scratch with locally sourced materials made specially to suit Nigeria’s topography and climatic condition.
“The bus was constructed from start to finish at the University’s workshop, using all necessary design software and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools.
We constructed the chassis, down to every single part of the mini bus,” said Callistus Ezeigwe, one of the seven. The group, known as the Autozik Group, was made up of six males and a female including Callistus Ezeigwe, Victor Obinani, Ifeanyi Ezeanolue, Ogbu Ikenna, Fidelis Ominigbo, Nnamdi Nwobodo and Chinaza Okoro, was supervised by the then Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, Dr. C.H. Achebe.
“We made the mini bus using mere hand tools. This means we did all of the constructions and folding, with our hands, since the university could not provide us with ground equipment, as used in most automobile companies,” said Ezeugwu.
The mini bus which took about five months to complete, has a beautiful finishing so that people find it difficult to believe it was made in Nigeria. Ezeigwe said the aim was to construct a mini bus using locally sourced materials, which is more durable and can better stand the test of time, compared to other brands out there.
“We named it Autobully,” said Obinani Victor, explaining that the brand name, coined from the normal bullion van, fits the shape of the mini bus.
The challenge: There is no doubt that Nigeria has talents but the challenge is how to tap harness them for the good of the nation.
These youths have been able to achieve this feat with no help from expatriates. They have shown some sense of doggedness and proficiency and they must not be allowed to be swept away by the tide of brain drain. Also in the same institution, five final-year engineering students produced a Formula 1 car (Racing car).
They appealed to the government to invest in these youths and channel resources to the Automobile sector as they seek to diversify the economy. They also appealed to the public to buy made in Nigeria products to grow the Naira.
Awesome! Congratulations.
ReplyDeletethumbs up to my alma mata.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear things like this, I begin to wonder if we're moving forward. In this day and age, how can this be a laudable achievement? Even unborn babies can build things like this. Our schools should find a way of getting students to focus on breakthrough rather than reinventing an over invented wheel and shouting for government to come and invest. Innoson is already a vehicle manufacturer in Nigeria, they should be adviced to apply for jobs there rather than calling on government for everything. Soon we will present people that manufactured toothpick and call on government to invest in them.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wicked statement...are hoj a saddist??which one have u ever constructed...rubbish..
DeleteWot have u bin able to build??? I pity ur type dt do not appreciate anytin good cos it didnt come from u.God help u.
DeleteWot have u bin able to build??? I pity ur type dt do not appreciate anytin good cos it didnt come from u.God help u.
DeleteYou are probably a Yoruba man to have spoken this way. If all cars in Nigeria today were built in the country wouldn't it have given us much better economic advantage than keep on spending such money to foreign countries to purchase cars. How do you think China started their own technology and where are they today? Lean how to be use to youself.
DeleteDid they build the engine? Is this how vehicles are built for sale? Why are we making a big deal of people just assembling parts picked up from old vehicles?
ReplyDeleteAssemble your own let's see, enemy of progress
DeleteAntagonist...I pity ur life. Be appreciative for once in ur life..God help u.
DeleteCongrats! More grease to your elbow but make sure you maintain your stand to avoid loss of life if and when approved. This is one of the reasons Nigerians avoid made in Nigeria products because given the approval we forget to maintain name and quality. The Westerners prefer to maintain name and quality which keeps them ahead of Africans. Once I congratulate your efforts, may God almighty increase you all
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteWith Biafra, Umu-Israel will build aeroplane. On Biafra I stand!
ReplyDeleteOn Biafra I stand my good brother. Let's keep the flag flying.
DeleteWell I graduated from unizik as a mechanical engineer myself years back. I sincerely appreciate their efforts I only hope its not just assembling from d normal small minibus n building body for it...all the same kudos young engineers.
ReplyDelete