Date: 2017-04-01

In recognition of their outstanding and giant strides in chemical sector, the Nigeria chapter of American Chemical Society honoured an Ilorin-based industrialist, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ibitoye Yusuf, and many others who distinguished themselves in their area of callings. AHMED 'LATEEF was at the classroom like event.

With advent of modern technology, there is no question that the world is experiencing a transition; a paradigm shift of some sort from what it used to be in the past, thanks to science, which has obviously influenced existentiality of technology.

In the event of change currently dominating the global space whether radical, violent or circumstantial, what has remained incontrovertible is change that is being revolutionalized by technology.

And there is no way technology is mentioned without recourse to science, widely acclaimed to be the cradle of all technological forms. Thus, no matter how technology is praised for championing change in the world in the areas of information and communication, manufacturing, transportation, banking and other spheres, science takes major credit, for it is the beginning of the whole processes.

As the world is rapidly transforming into a new phase with inventions and innovations trickling in multitude, technology has continued to be factored in as a determinant. It set the pace, and gives direction as to where to face in tackling emerging problems as they rear ugly heads.

Apart from by-products of technology, precipitated by knowledge of science, especially in the area of information and communication such as internet service and social media platforms, manufacturing is another direct beneficiary of technological advancement.

The deployment of technology in various manufacturing industries has gone a long way in curbing problems associated with human factor and also hastened the pace of work. For instance, application of machines powered by science and technology, is making work to be less stressful and increase production capacity.

Although the use of technology at work is a global phenomenon and the learning process can be informal most often. Examples are abound in many major factories and manufacturing industries that are making use of technology in their activities.

But it is widely believed that tertiary institutions, particularly those that offer technological related courses, are repositories of science and technology, and perhaps on annual basis, they churn out army of graduates considered to have successfully completed years of rigorous academic works.

However, the ability to compete favourably with their counterparts the world over has not ceased to be a subject of debate. This is because of what seems to be like a wider gulf between the town and gown. While academics in the citadel of learning are in the foray of scholarship, conducting researches on issues and making new innovations, it is hard to convince the discerning minds whether they create a better platform to interact or liaise with those in the field from time to time.

Interaction in the sense that students would leverage on the existing symbiotic relationship by going on internship in the manufacturing industries, to deepen their knowledge on practice away from the theory and little practical they made to undergo while on campuses.

The seeming gulf between the theory and practice (between citadels of learning and industries) might have provoked a passionate call by the Chief Executive Officer, Kam Industries Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ibitoye Yusuf, when he delivered his keynote address at a symposium organized by the Nigeria chapter of American Chemical Society.

The event, which was dedicated to honour creme de la creme in manufacturing sector including himself, dramatically turned to a lecture time as the Main Auditorium of the University of Ilorin where the ceremony held, was filled to capacity.

Yusuf, the Proprietor of Kam Wire Industry, an Ilorin-based manufacturing giant, noted that a virile nation is built when chemical practitioners in the classrooms and research laboratories on one hand and the real practitioners in the industry on another hand, synergize.

The synergy, he explained, would lay to rest rumours and speculations and in turn, provide harmonious platform for interactions and enhance working environment for the two.

Through the collaboration, the manufacturer pointed out that various theoretical works propounded by scholars in academic field will also be given a sound footing owing to ability to see things life and direct.

Speaking on the topic: "Sustainable Chemistry: Industrialists and Gown Relationship Improvement for Research Excellence, Yusuf told the gathering that practitioners in the manufacturing sector are principally preoccupied in the practice of chemistry for the development of the economy in the area of innovation of industrial equipments, production of materials, researching into technological advancement and among all creation of jobs.

The KAM Industries boss maintained that the event was timely because the nation in particular and the world at large was facing numerous economic challenges occasioned by lack of adequate policy thrust for improved research and productivity as well as lack of spirit of policy implementation.

He identified innovation of industrial equipment, production of materials and research into technological advancement as major panaceas required to sustain a developing economy such as Nigeria.

"There is no doubt that there is increasing pressure from both society and government on industries to develop clean, safe and secured processes to produce useful, eco-friendly, harmless and sustainable products. However, there is also need to uphold the fact that the ecological footprint of chemical products needs to be decreased drastically.

"Since the entire process of human endeavour is Chemistry due to the various chemical components and reactions involved, I stand tall to say that this symposium is in the right direction towards ensuring a positive drive for a sustainable economy through a genuine and robust relationship among Chemical Practitioners in the Academics and Industries especially in Nigeria.

"At our end as industrialists, we are more engaged in the practice of chemistry for the development of our economy in the area of innovation of industrial equipment, production of materials, researching into technological advancement and among all creation of jobs. All these are the major recipes needed to sustain a developing economy like ours.

"At KAM Industries, we uphold standard in the production and packaging of our products and we improve on our technical know-how in line with international best practice in order to become one of the leading Steel Industry in Nigeria, Africa Sub-Region and large.

"In Year 2008, our company established a manufacturing company in Wuxi, China to produce nail cap for sales to the locals and for export to Nigeria. The company also doubles as Procurement Business Unit and provides technical training for the group.

"In Year 2011, the company established its FIRST HOT DEEP GALVANIZING LINE of 36,000mtpa for galvanized roofing sheet accompanied with a colour coating line of 50 RPM for coloured and aluminum roofing sheet with all the utilities of the profile forming machine and cut to length.

"In Year 2012, we commenced construction of the Phase II of ULTRA MODERN STEEL COLD ROLLING MILL COMPLEX of 100,000mtpa at worth of USD210million comprises of 6 high reversing cold rolling mill, push pickling line, CNC roll grinding, rewinding line, two extra modern galvanizing line on 120 RPM cut to length, corrugating station, water complex and today we are constructing another giant Steel Industry hub at Jimba-Oja along Ajase-Ipo road to becoming one of the largest Steel Rolling Mills in Africa.

"I hereby appeal the Federal Government to make more funds available for tertiary institutions in order assist them in carrying out research as well as other Community Development Services because education remains the tools to develop nations.

"To build a virile nation devoid of speculations and controversies, there is an urgent need for Chemical Practitioners in the Academics to advance their researches beyond classes and laboratories and visit industries such as ours. This will foster and provide harmonious platform for interactions and in the long run, rumours will be confirmed, speculations will be conveniently criticized and theories will be more solidified because "seeing is believing."

"Also, it is pertinent for the Federal Government through the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other regulatory agencies in the education sector to give more priority to Science related courses during admission process. This should be done in the ratio 70 to 30 percentage for both sciences and non-sciences respectively. This will further ensure the need for entrepreneurial skills among our teeming youths", Yusuf said.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Nigeria Chapter of American Chemical Society (ACS), Professor Joshua Ayoola Obaleye, urged industrialists to rescue the country from the bottleneck causing pain to the research effort of the academic scholars.

He also challenged members of the society to invent tools and skills needed to make desirable impact on a large society.

"As a chapter of ACS, there is a strong need to develop tools and essential leadership skills that will make a greater impact into our community and beyond in the area of our Chemistry profession. Reasonable ideas that will position our chapter for success must be generated.

"It must be made clear that having our chapter will improve our knowledge of Chemistry. Hosting joint activities with ACS will strengthen National chemistry content as well as build indigenous capacity. There is need to learn from experts in order to improve both our teaching and research strategy.

"We want to appeal to all our industrialists to rescue this nation from the bottleneck that is causing pain to the research effort of the gowns. In your forum, efforts must be made to bring life into the research development of this nation. Gowns and industrialists must work together for the success to be achieved", Obaleye said.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, who spoke through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Technology and Innovations, Professor Gabriel Olatunji, showered encomium on Kam Industries boss for revolutionizing manufacturing sector in the state, pointing out that his insatiable quest for innovations had launched Ilorin and Kwara in particular on the world map.

He also called for strong collaboration between the industrialists and gowns in order to bring about value addition to research efforts undertaken by higher institutions of learning.

At the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer, Kam Industries Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ibitoye Yusuf; Technical Adviser Lubcon Oil, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim and a pharmaceutical giant were honoured.