Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra
State, has become a centre of attraction after
five of its graduating students fabricated an
automobile, using locally-sourced materials and
gadgets. FRANKLIN ONWUBIKO (400-Level Mass
Communication) reports.
Can Nigerian engineers manufacture an
automobile, using local resources? It is possible!
Five engineering students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe
University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, have
shown how the feat can be achieved.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering of the
university was the centre of attraction last week
when the students unveiled an automobile they
designed and built. They drove it round the
campus.
The manufacturers, Augustus Okoyenta,
Chukwuebuka Okeke, Chikeluba Ezeani,
Kenechukwu Ofoegbu and Ebenezer Igbokwe are
graduating students of the department. They
fabricated the vehicle as their final year project,
using locally- sourced materials.
They named their vehicle “Auto-Zik Formula 1
Car”. The design of the racing car, which operates
at the speed of 180km/h, was carried out under
the supervision of a lecturer in the department,
Dr Solomon Nwiegbe.
There was excitement on the campus when the
vehicle was test-driven by Chikeluba around the
Administrative Block before it was presented to
the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Joseph Ahaneku.
The VC was joined by senior management members
to shower encomiums on the students and their
supervisor, describing the project as a brilliant
feat. Members of the management were
astonished when the students explained how they
came up with the automobile. They analysed the
mechanics, principles and calculations that made
the project a reality.
Prof Ahaneku hailed the students, saying they had
started home-made automobile transformation in
the country. He praised Prof Sam Omenyi, the
pioneer lecturer in the department, for shooting
the school into technological spotlight.
Science and
technology, the VC said, are the engines that
power economic transformation.
He said: “This university has always been known
for excellence and these students have
demonstrated the excellence. This is a novel
project; you don’t need any further evaluation to
know that these students belong to the class of
excellence. They will be going Abuja in December to
exhibit the project and other works. We train
students to leave as job creators and not
employment seekers.”
Dr Nwigbo described the students as wonderful
and resourceful, saying it took the team two
years to design the automobile.
He said: “The spirit of engineering in them was
brought to bear. The boys passed through stress
and training; now they have achieved their goal.
Showcasing undergraduate research project
before the management is no mean feat. I am not
happy because they made a car but the quality of
students we are churning out. They are
disciplined, ready to learn and obedient.”
The leader of the team, Augustus, said the task
was to design a racing car with less air drag when
in motion, using cost-effective materials. This
took them almost two years.
He said: “The achievement was not easy to come
by; it took us days, weeks and months of hard
work, sleepless nights, brainstorming and
determination to succeed in the assignment. We
used division of labour model, with each of us
specialising in certain aspect of the design. I
designed the chassis, the suspension as well as the
hub. Chikeluba designed the brake system. The
transmission and steering systems were designed
by Chukwuebuka. While Ebenezer focused on the
ergonomics (comfort of the driver), Kenechukwu
designed the body.
“We spent about N400,000 on the project.
Although the department and Students’ Union
supported us, but we bore most of the financial
burden.”
The students were grateful to their parents, who
they said believed in their vision and supported
them financially and morally. They also described
their supervisor as a “wonderful man,” who
encouraged them to work. They listed the
challenges encountered in the process to include
unstable electricity that prevented them from
testing some of the gadgets in the vehicle, and
working overnight, funding and lack of requisite
machines.
The Head of Mechanical Engineering Department,
Dr Chinonso Achebe, said the feat was an
indication that the department was not only
proficient in theory but teach its students in
practice. According to him, theoretical laws were
juxtaposed with practical principles to carry out
the project.
“We are grateful to God for giving these students
wisdom to achieve this feat. This shows that
engineers are good managers of resources. A
project of this magnitude was carried out at a
very conservative cost,” he said.
The HOD said the department had keyed into the
programmes of the Vice Chancellor, who, he said,
wrote a proposal to departments to look into
research and set funds aside to facilitate it.
On how to overcome challenges faced by students
carrying out research, Dr Achebe said: “The
department and Institute of Mechanical
Engineering partly supported the Auto-Zik
project. There was epileptic power supply which
affected the pace of work but things improved
later on. Plans are underway to improve facilities
in our engineering workshop and make it better.
The Dean of Faculty of Engineering is working
towards achieving that.”
Source: http://thenationonlineng.net
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