ENGR. JAMES AGBONFORO OITOMEN: RESEARCHING FOR THE NATION

For a man who began inventing at a tender age of ten when most of his age mates were still toiling through their alphabets and basic arithmetic, James Agbonforo Oitomen of Oitomen Engineering Research Center, Benin City, Edo state, has been described, at various times, as an enigma. As a toddler, James Oitomen became a child- prodigy: venturing into engineering and research very early in life, and even designing and building an aircraft that flew .  Today, the inventive flairs of the past have crystallized into one of the most solid indigenous process equipment design and fabrication outfits in Edo state, and James Oitomen is holding sway.  He still has his heart and mind set on inventing machines that can add value to life.  Prod him further and he would be quickly tell you how committed Oitome Engineering Center is towards researching and discovering new technologies capable of improve living standards in Nigeria.  According to him, Oitomen Engineering Center is unique in several aspects.  Registered as a manufacturer of “harmless water heaters”, in 1995, and producing mainly just that, over the years, the company has since matured, jettisoning the toga of pedestrian fabrications. And as it grew its capacity for inventive engineering designs and development, it came up with a mobile Dental unit and a digitally operated and automated garri-processing machine.  Today, the company has a line of some of the most highly sophisticated process- specific, design- inspired, inventions such as the Automated Cassava Chipping Machine, Oitomen Rocket Rotary Dryer (ORRD), Pulverizer (Reduce to Powder or Dust) (Flour), Oitomen Harmless Water Boiler, Automated Yoghurt Processing Plant (15,000 capacity liters), Automated Plantain and Yam chips processing plant, Popcorn machine, Electric Poultry Incubator, among a wide range of others.  The award- winning engineer, in this interview, granted to the Edo state Liaison Officer, Mr. A. Oloton, on behalf of RMRDC Newsletter,in Benin, recently, has appealed for government’s intervention and support for the  process equipment design sector in Nigeria, even as he laments the fact that the enabling environment for Engineers and inventors to thrive in Nigeria just did not exist. Happy reading. 

RMRDC Newsletter::  Sir, kindly tell us about your company.

Eng. Oitome:    This Company was first known and registered as Oitome Heaters Nig. Limited, in 1995.  We were producing mainly Harmless Water Heaters.  As we graduated in our inventive engineering design, we became Oitomen Engineering Research Center.  The aim and objectives of this body is to research and discover machineries or new technologies that would help to improve our productive sector, hence our motto: Researching for the Nation.

RMRDC Newsletter:    What informed your decision to go into engineering research? 

Eng. Oitomen:   I grew up and became interested in engineering.  At the age of 10-11, I started engineering research and latter developed an aircraft.  We are thinking on daily to help humanity.  We started producing harmless and friendly water heaters. Interestingly, we have received a number of awards and commendations from both the federal and state governments. 

RMRDC Newsletter:    Have you developed any new products or process technology from R&D programs?

Eng. Oitomen:   Yes, from research and development we created both the mobile dental unit and digital automated garri processing machine.

RMRDC Newsletter:    What do you consider as a crucial problem in Engineering research?

Eng. Oitomen:   No encouragement from anywhere.  Government gives preference only to sporting activities rather than engineering creations.  No encouragement from government.

RMRDC Newsletter:    Sir, what are your company’s products?

Eng. Oitomen:   The products of this Company are: Automated Garri Processing and Frying plant, Automated Cassava chipping Machine, Oitomen Rocket Rotary Dryer (ORRD) Pulverizer (Reduce to powder or dust) (flour), Oitomen Harmless Water Heater, Automated Yoghourt Processing Plant (15,000 capacity litres), Mobil Dental Unit for surgical operations, Automated Plantain and Yam chips processing plant, Popcorn machine, Electric Poultry incubator (of any capacity), Ice making plant (production of giant sized ice blocks), and Melon dehusting shelling machine.

RMRDC Newsletter:    Do you export any of your products?

Eng. Oitomen:   Not quite.  Though we have attended an international trade fair exhibition in Ghana.

RMRDC Newsletter:    What is your center’s approach to R&D?

Eng. Oitomen:   We identify a problem, we solve it through creative brainstorming and then we implement.

RMRDC Newsletter:    How would you rate the local engineering capabilities in Nigeria?

Eng. Oitomen:   The lecturers and academics in the country have failed us.  They cannot impact good knowledge on the younger generation.  The quality of engineers from the universities and polytechnics today are of very poor standard.  Young corps members (Engineers) posted to us cannot even produce a pin.  The local fabricators (technicians) are engaged in cut- and- nail business, no refining.  Nigerians are generally very good in coming up on television as well as in the production blue prints.

RMRDC Newsletter:    Who are the main beneficiaries of your products?

Eng. Oitomen:   Almost everybody is interested in what we are doing, farmers, investors, students, and so many more.

RMRDC Newsletter:    Can you speak on Research and Development?

Eng. Oitomen:   Actually, research suffers a lot in Nigeria.  The developed countries like the USA encourage research and development. The Banks in Nigeria are also not ready to assist.

RMRDC Newsletter:    How do you coordinate your research and development?

Eng. Oitomen:   Coordinating my research and development, to me is thinking, visualizing, dedication, and perseverance.

RMRDC Newsletter:    How has your R&D been instrumental to your products developmental strategies?

Eng. Oitoment:  Most of ten, we improvise.

RMRDC Newsletter:    What constraints does your center face and which areas do you think that the government can assist.

Eng. Oitomen:   Funding.  We need funds to encourage us in what we are doing.  With sufficient funding, nothing would be impossible.

RMRDC Newsletter:    How does the present economic situation in the country affect you? 

Eng. Oitomen:   There is no economic hardship that can disturb my thinking technology.  Even if my wife is right there in the labour room, at the point of delivery, I still have to think technology. 

RMRDC Newsletter:    I suppose you have an effective and efficient market outlet for your products.  Please comment. 

Eng. Oitomen:   No competitors for our products. 

RMRDC Newsletter:    Better margin brings better profit.  That invariably means more tax.  Are you comfortable with Nigeria’s tax policy? 

Eng. Oitomen:   The tax policy in Nigeria is very embarrassing.  Different taxes for signboards, premises, tenements, etc.          

RMRDC Newsletter:    What will you say about taxation of young companies in Nigeria with special reference to Edo state? 

Eng. Oitomen:   They are not encouraged.  

RMRMDC Newsletter:            Certain policy inputs are better enhanced through organized private sectors such as MAN and NACCIMA.  Do you belong to any of these? 

Eng. Oitomen:   I am a member of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.

RMRDC Newsletter: How does government policy affect your operations?

Eng. Oitomen:   With the federal government ban on most imported goods, a lot of investors are beginning to appreciate our local products.

RMRDC Newsletter:   Sir, kindly describe business atmosphere in Nigeria especially with regards to manufacturing.

Eng. Oitomen:   The situation is not too favourable because the elite do not appreciate made in Nigeria products.  They still prefer to patronize foreign products for reasons best known to them.

RMRDC Newsletter:    RMRDC is committed to the promotion of local resource- based industries.  What areas would you wish the council give more attention?

Eng. Oitomen:   It is simple.  RMRDC should give more priority to engineering technology creativity.  Engineering should be encouraged.  Most basic amenities around such as shoes, ties, even clothes, are products of engineering design.  Engineers are not encouraged in Nigeria. A lot of sophisticated equipment here I Nigeria today are from India.  The Indian government encourages their citizen to go into engineering at tender ages.

RMRDC Newsletter:  How would you want future interaction with RMRDC to be?

Eng. Oitomen:   RMRDC should encourage investors in engineering design financially.

RMRDC Newsletter:    You must be familiar with activities of RMRDC. Hoe would you rate us in relation to our efforts in local raw materials sourcing.

Eng.Oitomen:    The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and RMRDC should wake up and live up to their responsibilities.  They should identify and bring up talented Scientists and Engineers.  Nigerians can develop satellite if given necessary support and encouragement.

RMRDC Newsletter:    Having taking a facility tour of your Research center, we are overwhelmed by the scope of your operation.  Sir, we wish to know what your challenges are:

Eng. Oitome:    One of challenge is encouraging a better environment for engineering for a better tomorrow.

RMRMDC Newsletter:  How is the Research center faring generally?

Eng. Oitome:   In every situation that we find ourselves, we render thanks to God.

RMRDC Newsletter:    Sir, we’d like to thank you for sparing us the time to talk to you, but who is Eng. James A. Oitomen?

I was born in 1945 at Uromi in Edo state.  After secondary school education, I created an aircraft that flew up and later crash- landed due to lack of an electronic central system.  From that experiment, it became obvious that I knew where I was going even at that tender age.  My dream and vision was to become an inventor, to create what man had never seen before for the benefit of humanity.  In 1990, I was formally invited to Lagos by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, late Prof. Gordian Ezekwe, to demonstrate my capabilities.  The former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, convinced by the demonstration, directed the Ministry to recommend me obtain a patent for the Harmless and Fireless water Boiler.