The Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, on Thursday, charged engineers to provide solutions to myriad of problems confronting societies through fabrications and innovations.

Professor Okolie who described engineers as the bedrock of sustainable development of any nation further called on engineers to address energy crisis which has almost crippled most of the key sectors of the economy in Nigeria.

He made the charge during his opening remarks at the 2024 international conference organized by the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, ESUT, tagged 'Innovation in Electrical and Electronics Engineering for Sustainable Development,' at the Julius Onah Auditorium, Agbani, Enugu State.

He Vice Chancellor equally restated the commitment of his administration in promoting the welfare of the staff of the University through prompt payment of salaries and infrastructure upgrade.

He further commended the department for gathering scholars from all over the globe to cross-fertilize academic ideas and research endeavours, urging the staff and students of the University to always seek avenues of refreshing their knowledge.

Equally speaking with newsmen, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, ESUT, Professor Godian Mbah, described the topic of the conference as timely, adding that his faculty has constituted a committee on alternative energy sources, which according to him, was geared towards remedying energy crisis in ESUT and environs.

He further said that the committee would explore solar, wind and non fossil form of energies in its bid to address energy issues within and outside the University.

In his welcome address, the chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Professor James Eke, assured that the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, ESUT, would develop technologies and systems which would not only meet the societal needs but also preserve the sources and health of our planet for future generations.

Prof. Eke, who was the immediate past Dean of Faculty of Engineering ESUT, further explained that the theme of the conference incorporated a wide range of sub themes such as renewable energy technologies, smart grid and energy management, telecommunications and connectivity, Artificial Intelligence among others whose innovations and findings would guarantee sustainable development.

In his keynote address entitled "Automated Oil and Gas Pipeline Vandalisation Detection System," the Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Petroleum Resources, Effurum, Delta State, Prof Ofualagba Godswill, said that Nigeria is still economically stagnated due to non functionality of its oil refineries.

Prof. Ofualagba, who is an alumnus of ESUT, further said that Nigeria has also recorded loss of lives and properties due to persistent vandalism of its crude oil pipelines.

He equally noted that his research group manufactured a system which detects earth vibrations and sends signals unique to ground digging and pipeline breakage to a control room to prevent crude oil theft.

Also, in his lead paper presentation, a Market Operator, Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Dr. Edmund Amaobi, while discussing the topic "Smart Grid and Energy Management," said that the system of energy transmission in Nigeria is fragile because the grid is not totally smart.

Dr. Amaobi, who was represented by another Market Operator, TCN, Hillary Osien, however said that embracing the ongoing technological innovations such as Internet of Things, IoT, would help in adequate monitoring and management of the national grid from energy generation to transmission to forestall system collapse.

While talking about policy issues as a challenge to proper energy management in Nigeria, he lauded the recent removal of electricity from the exclusive list which gave states the leverage to generate and distribute energy according to the needs of the people.

The international conference attracted scholars from different parts of the globe.