By Hillary Asemota
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof Mohammed Haruna has appointed Engr. David Dania to oversee the affairs of the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI) Enugu.
Dania was the first scientist to developed the first solar panel manufacturing plant in Nigeria, the 7.5 MW NASENI solar panel manufacturing plant at Karshi Abuja, and produced the first made in Nigeria solar module.
The appointment arose following the recent vacuum created by the death of late Prof Samuel N. Ndubisi, even as Haruna, added that this is coming pending the appointment of a substantive Director
In a letter, Dania was directed to commence overseeing the affairs of the institute with immediate effect. SEDI Enugu is one of the research developments institutes of NASENI.
The Deputy Director, Information for the agency, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, in a statement said, Dania is a Specialist in Automation, Mechatronics, Artificial intelligence (AI), and Renewable Energy. He has wide varied engineering, industrial and multinational working experience.
The statement added: “He is entrepreneurial, and multitasking and a team player. He has six publications and two patents. He received certificate of merit award in recognition of outstanding performance and exemplary conduct in the agency.
“Educational qualifications: WASC, Government Secondary School (GSS), Pankshin, Plateau state, Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical/Electronics), University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, Edo State, Masters of Engineering (Electronics and Communications Engr.), Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Kaduna State, in progress PhD (Electronics), Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State.”
“He developed the First Made in Nigeria Motorcycle NASENI M1 at NEDDI, February, 2013, the First Made in Nigeria Tricycle ‘Keke NASENI’ May, 2014 (Cargo and Passenger Model). Others include: Design and fabrication of 10 Tons Integrated Cassava Processing plant, at Minna.
“Development of NASENI Electro Pneumatic Ventilator following the outbreak of COVID-19.
“Rehabilitation of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) machines: Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), Rapid Prototyping Machine (RPM) at NEDDI Nnewi, and Vertical Milling Machine (VMC) 750 at NEDDI, and SEDI -Enugu. Establishment of the first IGR Unit, in June 2013 at NEDDI; remitted revenue generated from other sources to FGN in 2013 and 2014.
He had served in the past as Acting Managing Director of National Engineering Design Development Institute (NEDDI),Nnewi and also Acting Director, Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI Headquarters.