Ahmadu Bello University-ABU manufactures environment friendly car with local materials

 

 

An environment friendly car has been manufactured with locally sourced materials at the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.

Unveiling the car at the weekend, the Head of Department and Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Mohammed Dauda, told journalists that it was made from materials sourced from the local community.

"All materials used for this car were sourced locally," Dr. Dauda said.

Dr. Dauda however noted that some components were recycled, rather than self-fabricated at the department.

"Though, there are things that we did not fabricate ourselves, you will be surprised that some of the components like the electrical, we just looked at an old computer system and then adopted some of the components that were useful to us," he said.

"So, this is one example of what we did, which is recycling, otherwise, I will say 100 per cent of the things we used were produced here in Zaria".

He said the Department was motivated to manufacture the car following an invitation from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited to participate in a competition.

"In addition to federal government's automotive policy, I must say that the reason we started this (manufacturing of the car) came from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.

"They invited ABU to participate in what they call Shell Eco Marathon Competition."

The Department now plans to compete in the 2015 Shell Eco Marathon Competition with the car.

"The car should be one that consumes little fuel but goes long distances. This competition is held in America, Europe and Asia and we are participating in the European one in Netherlands in May this year."

Cars designed and built by at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) participated in the 2014 edition of the competition held in Holland.

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See The List Of Nine Fake Universities Recently Shut Down By NUC

According to AIT TV station, The National Universities
Commission, NUC, has shut down nine universities in
Nigeria for operating without legal licenses.

The publication of the affected institutions was published
in the NUC weekly bulletin. Report says the Prof. Julius Okojie, the NUC’s executive secretary, signed the publication. He stated that the universities have been in
existence for years and have just being extorting money
from students who were given fake certificates.

The listed universities are those affected;

National University of Nigeria, Keffi (Nasarawa State);
North Central University, Otukpo (Benue State);
Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, (Enugu
state);
Richmond Open University, Arochukwu (Abia State) and
Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti (Ekiti State)
West Coast University, Umuahia, Volta University College,
Aba, (Abia State) and the satellite campuses of Ambrose
Ali University.

The publication also reveal that:

“In addition to the
closure, the following `Degree Mills’ are currently
undergoing court actions; the purpose of these actions is
to prosecute the proprietors and recover illegal fees and
charges on subscribers.
“For the avoidance of doubt, anybody who patronizes
or obtains any certificate from any of these illegal
institutions does so at his or her own risk.
“Certificates obtained from these sources will not be
recognized for the purposes of NYSC, employment
and further studies.”
NUC also persuaded Nigerians to disconnect themselves
from the institutions and their certificates.
While some are being closed, new private universities have
been recommended to the president for approval.
NUC also stated that they are considering introduction of a
pre-Doctoral Programme in the postgraduate studies in
Nigerian universities. This was said while Prof Okojie was
at an interactive session with Education Correspondents
Association of Nigeria (ECAN).
He explained that the universities listed on the proposal
sent to the president through the Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau,
Minister of Education have all being approved by NUC but
would also receive the input and approval of the Federal
Executive Council (FEC).
He said access to university education has been a
challenge in the country with over one million Nigerians,
who were, on annual basis, unable to gain admission into
the limited tertiary institutions because of low carrying
capacity.
The executive secretary of NUC has said, that NUC is
considering the introduction of pre- Ph.D. programme in
Nigerian universities based on the recommendation of
some of the vice chancellors.

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