Engr. Meseko Oluwarotimi Okebukun, Quintessential Enigma

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Engr. Meseko Oluwarotimi Okebukun is an electrical engineer With NTA station, Idah and the current chairman Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Idah Chapter. 

As an accomplished professional in his field of endeavor, Engr Meseko has made his mark in solving engineering problems. He has also vowed to ensure that the Idah Chapter of NSE is put on a steady path of progress during his tenure. 

Below is the excerpt of his interview with John Okekwu on Graphics newspaper, December 17th 2019.

Tell us about yourself: My name is Engr. Meseko Oluwarotimi Okebukun a broadcast engineer, Coordinator North- Central Maintenance Operation in the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and presently the Chairman Nigerian Society of engineers Idah Chapter, an offspring of Ajaokuta Branch in Kogi State.

 I have a degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Ilorin, 2006 in Kwara State, a Post graduate diploma in theology 2016 from the Redeemed Christian Bible College and almost rounding up a Masters Degree programme in Business Administration (MBA) in Salem University Lokoja. I am also a registered Engineer with COREN (2012), a distinguished Member of the Institute of Public Speaking Nigeria, Member Nigerian Institute of Management and an alumni of the administrative Staff College of Nigeria.

 To God be the glory, I am married to Princess Olubunmi Meseko.

Who are the key components of the Nigerian Society of Engineers Idah Chapter?

The association is the big umbrella covering all the professional and qualified engineers in this axis. The Nigerian Society of engineers Idah Chapter is the professional body fusing together all engineers across Idah Federal Constituency.

 The Federal Polytechnic Idah been a training institution have the highest number of engineers in the society. Furthermore, we have members from the NTA Idah, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC Idah), College of Health Sciences and Technology Idah among others. The Society members always meet for professional interaction, technical talks, engineering exhibitions, industrial visits, marathon walk and annual dinner to foster unity among members.

What are your contributions as a society in the development of the host community?

Without mincing words, NSE Idah chapter has contributed immensely in project management across Idah Federal constituency, Supervision of construction works, designs, career talk and quiz competition among secondary school students. In addition we have done a lot in the area of technical talk to polytechnic students, approval of cash awards to deserving students and sensitization talk on the solution to building collapse. Though not very important but to set the record straight NSE Idah Chapter designed the logo of Federal Polytechnic Idah, the metal works of the first gate and reconstruction of the second gate. 

The Nigerian Society of engineers also recognized the performing and engineering friendly Rector, Dr. Baba David Danjuma with a Merit award for outstanding leadership and contribution towards the growth of engineering in Federal Polytechnic Idah. Similarly, the provost of college of health sciences and technology Idah Comrade(Dr) Nuhu Solomon Anyegwu was also honoured for his superlative performance and sterling leadership qualities. The awards are not to score cheap political points but to encourage the duo to continually support engineering practice in their domain. 

Encouraging Science education, Engineering, Innovations and Technological initiative will lead to growth and national development.
In your view, why is the present generation of prospective engineering students running away from polytechnic education?

These retinue of digital or prospective engineering students prefer university to polytechnic education because the dichotomy in the labour market is rife, today polytechnics are discriminating against her own products, what could be more? So the youths will prefer to go to universities directly. Again, the market demand for university graduate is higher than that of polytechnic graduates.
What is the way forward and advice to students?

In my view, I think the critical stakeholders in education should look for ways of eliminating the discrimination. For me, there should be a strategic alliance between all the members making the engineering family that is, the engineers, technologists, technicians, artisans and craftsmen. It is a family of five and our collective unity symbolizes strength. There is no need for competition among the family members rather we should complement each others effort. 

Nigeria will make tremendous progress technology wise if the entire systemic element will agree to work together harmoniously. Let the discrimination stop, we are gradually moving into the fourth industrial revolution where you have driverless cars, Internet of things,3D Printing, Artificial intelligence, Energy storage, nanotechnology , Robotic, the connected economy etc Polytechnic education will be very relevant to this advancement and our national prosperity at the long run.

 For our prospective engineering students, be the best wherever you find yourself. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt “Do what you can with what you have where you are” Their will always be a better place for the man who takes academics seriously. When you get to that school be it university or polytechnic roll-off your sleeves and read. There is no easy harvest anywhere.

Finally, how will you describe your experiences in the broadcasting industry?

My experience in the Television industry is quite eventful and fulfilling. It is rich in problem-solving, traveling, meeting new people and journalism. I was privileged to work with R&S Transmitter engineers from Germany to commission NTA Idah 3.5 KW UHF Transmitter in 2010. Again, I have memorable experiences in live coverage using Outside Broadcasting Van. For instance, I participated during the commissioning of International Market Lokoja, flagg-off of the dredging of river Niger by late president Umaru Musa Yaradua , burial of formal minister of Labour and employment, James Ocholi SAN at Abocho among other interesting coverage.

 I am also a visiting engineer to several NTA Stations to clear fault and also bring their Transmitters back on air. By the grace of God, I’ve been able to mentor some engineers on pupilage and I.T Students in my duty tour in a decade.

Aside my core duty, I write news for NTA, Present programmes and also generate money as an additional responsibility. Some of my star Television programmes include Motivational Matters, The Principal, Guest of the Moment and My Stewardship on NTA Idah. These additional commitment has earned me many recognitions, commendations and NTA Merit award (2015). 

Motivational Matters brought me into limelight and connected me to the creame de la creame in the society.

 I desire that the traditional media practitioners will leverage more on technology to enhance higher performance and creativity. Technologies catalyses the ease of doing business and also provide better approach to problem solving. Content is king and Change Management in the digital era. Therefore, we must up our game to maximize the opportunities offered by digital technologies. Creativity, proficiency in the use of computer, learning new software, personal development programs, training and retraining of personnel will go a long way to improving our overall output.

credit: (Kogi )Graphic Newspaper

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