UNIVERSITY OF UYO, UYO

43RD INAUGURAL LECTURE

ADDRESSING THE QUAGMIRE OF POOR QUALITY PRODUCTS IN NIGERIA’S

PROCESS INDUSTRIES THROUGH APPLIED SYSTEMS INSTRUMENTATION,

AUTOMATION AND CONTROL

PROF. UMANA THOMPSON ITAKETO, FNSE

“AKANEREN”

Date: 26 March 2015

UNIVERSITY OF UYO, UYO

ADDRESSING THE QUAGMIRE OF POOR QUALITY PRODUCTS IN NIGERIA’S

PROCESS INDUSTRIES THROUGH APPLIED SYSTEMS INSTRUMENTATION,

AUTOMATION AND CONTROL

Professor Umana Thompson Itaketo, FNSE

(A COREN-Registered Professional Engineer)

B. Eng. Hons (U. of Sc. & Tech., Enugu), M. Eng. (UNN), Ph. D. (FUTO), Regd. Engr. (COREN), FNSE

Professor of Control Engineering

43RD INAUGURAL LECTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UYO

Date: 26 March 2015

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Copyright Umana Itaketo, 2015

Published by:

University of Uyo Press Ltd

University of Uyo, Uyo

Nigeria

Typesetting:

Professor Umana Itaketo

Department of Electrical/Electronic & Computer Engineering

University of Uyo, Uyo

ISBN:

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Abaam Publishing Company

G72, Ewet Housing Estate

Uyo

Nigeria

07032810477

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DEDICATION

Dedicated to my father, Late Obong Thompson Itaketo Umana who toiled in thorns of

thick bushes and marsh swamps for my education but never enjoyed the fruits of his

labour.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND APPRECIATION

My early life was very miserable but the Almighty God provided a direction,

inspiration, steadfastness and above all, divine guidance, which all combined beautifully

to see me to where I am today. I am therefore very grateful to Him, the Almighty God, to

whom I return all the Honour and Glory.

I am eternally grateful to my parents, Late Obong Thompson Itaketo Umana and

Mrs Dina Thompson Itaketo. Papa and Mma, you were my very first teachers having

taught me to be disciplined, respectful, truthful and obedient. Papa, I wish you were

alive today to see and reap the fruits of your labour. You never spared the rod whenever

I erred. What a disciplinarian you were. As a child, I never liked that “regimental” style

on me but now, I know you were right and it was I that was wrong whenever the cane

had to be applied. For all these, I say thank you, and may your gentle soul continue to

rest in peace.

I am equally grateful to my mother for her strict up-bringing, mostly by ensuring

that I follow her to the farm and do all the farm work with her. I’m also grateful to her for

supporting me in school with the proceeds from her peasant farming in the village

mostly during my early teenage age in secondary school when Papa died.

I am indebted to my maternal uncle late Mr. Eyo William Ukpe. Papa Eyo, as we

used to refer to you, you were very much interested in me and always proud of me

because of the intelligence I exhibited right from my primary school days. I thank you.

May your gentle soul continue to rest in peace.

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I must thank all my primary school teachers for the love and encouragement they

gave me. I thank you all because you laid the first steps in my education. I’m particularly

grateful to you late Mr. S. U. Essien and late Mr. O. J. Udoko. You were my wonderful

primary school teachers. I thank you all.

I am mostly indebted to you Major Imeh Udoh (Rtd.) for the several roles you’ve

played in my life both in childhood and in adulthood. My father had no financial ability to

send me to secondary school but you convinced him to, at least get me started in class

one, in order not to allow the type of intelligence you saw in me to waste. Out of your

perseverance, I started class one, though on a very rough footing but the rest is history

today. I thank you for seeing the future and sowing that seed. Again, when my father

died, in my form 4, and I couldn’t return to school for 2 terms, you assisted me with one

session school fees. Major Imeh, God will continue to bless you and your family, but to

me, I lack words to use in expressing my gratitude to you. I will forever continue to

remember and thank you for the several roles you’ve played in my life.

I equally thank all my secondary school teachers for the additional motivation

they gave me. I thank you all because you laid the second steps in my education. I am

particularly grateful to you Dr. Usoro E. Ekitok, Prof. Henty J. Nenty and Late Chief G.

Ifon. I am mostly grateful to you Chief Ifon for the financial assistance you gave me

when I couldn’t pay my boarding fees in my final year in secondary school. You were all

wonderful teachers who gave me basis which enabled me study Engineering up to the

Ph. D. level. May God bless you all.

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To all my University lecturers, I say thank you because you all laid the third steps

in my education. I am mostly indebted to you, Dr. Enahowo, Dr. Etiegbe, Prof. G. N.

Onoh, Prof. H. C. Inyiama, Late Prof. O. U. Mobisson, Late Prof. A. Nwachukwu and

Late Prof. T. C. Nwodo because you imparted what you knew to me and that made me

what I am today. To Prof. Inyiama, whom God has blessed with youthful looks till today,

I am mostly grateful. You were my B. Eng. project adviser. Today, you are still active as

you were far back in the 1980s and I am proud to revert to you and use you in my

department as an adjunct lecturer. I thank you and may God continue to give you more

strength and youthfulness.

With deep sense of gratitude, I thank all my M. Eng. Degree lecturers at the

University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I thank you Prof. M. U. Agu, Late Dr. N. A. Anwah, Dr.

Annan, Dr. Karunakaran, Dr. Ejebe and Dr. G. Ponov for the higher engineering

knowledge you all imparted to me. I am particularly grateful to you Prof. Agu and Late

Dr. Anwah for supervising my M. Eng. Degree project.

To Prof. S. O. E. Ogbogu and Prof. Mrs G. A. Chukwudebe, I say thank you for

supervising my Ph. D. degree thesis at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri

(FUTO). Extracts from the thesis were published at AMSE, France, and equally in the

British Library, London, for world-wide references. I am indebted to two of you.

I thank Prof. Aniedi O. Ette, the former Dean, Faculty of Engineering and former

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, for being very receptive to me when I applied to

join the University of Uyo as a lecturer. Prof., you had been very kind to me in several

aspects, from my first day in the University of Uyo, and till today. For all these, I say

thank you.

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I acknowledge the good working relationship I had with the immediate past Vice

Chancellor, Professor Akanaren I. Essien. Prof., I enjoyed every bit of time of your 5

years tenure as the Vice Chancellor of this great University. It was during your tenure

that I had my promotion from the rank of a senior lecturer to that of an Associate

Professor. Thank you Sir. Also, as a fellow old boy of the great Regina Coeli College

(RECCO), Essene, on behalf of the old boys of the former college, I express my

appreciation to you.

I must acknowledge the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Mrs

Comfort M. Ekpo. Madam, it was during your first outing as one of the Principal Officers

of the University (as a Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic,), that I obtained my

promotion to the rank of an Associate Professor. In your second outing, this time, as the

Chief Executive of the University (the Vice Chancellor), I got promoted to a full

Professor. Madam, I am deeply grateful to you. May God bless you and your family.

I must thank my wife and children for their understanding in bearing the long

hours that I always spend in my private library and study room; reading, researching

and writing. To my wife, that is what you have to “enjoy” by marrying a committed

Professor. To my children, that is what you equally have to “enjoy” by being children of

a committed Professor. I thank all of you.

To other family members, I say thank you for the encouragement you’ve given

me over the years in pursuit of higher education. I am indebted to all of you.

To all my friends, from primary school to the three Universities I’ve attended for

the three layers of my academic degrees; B. Eng, M. Eng., and Ph. D., I appreciate you

all. It’s been nice knowing you and relating so well with all of you over the years.

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I am particularly grateful to my friend Dr. Prince Nyong, my secondary school

classmate, whom we’ve stayed together as close friends till today.

I am grateful to the management team of the University for giving me this great

opportunity to present an inaugural lecture today. I thank the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mrs

Comfort M. Ekpo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Administration), Prof. Trenchard O. Ibia

, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic), Prof. Enomfon J. Akpan, the Registrar, Mrs

Edak U. Umondak, and her staff, for planning this event so wonderfully and ensuring

that it holds as planned. I am grateful to all of you.

To the wonderful staff (academic, laboratories/workshops and administrative)

and students of the Faculty of Engineering, I thank all of you. The entire Faculty of

Engineering is a wonderful family away from home. I am indebted to all of you and I

thank you all.

Most especially, I must thank my entire Department (Dept of Electrical/Electronic

& Computer Engineering) both staff and students, for their wonderful co-operation,

uncommon and unprecedented working relationship I had with you during the almost 10

unbroken years period that I worked with you as the Head of Department. I appreciate

the good working relationship and thank you all.

I cannot forget to thank all the staff of Intellectual Property Centre, which Prof.

Aniedi O. Ette and I are looking after. It’s been nice working with you, and I thank you

all. To everyone else in this hall, I thank you for being part of the audience. Your

presence here is greatly appreciated.

Prof. Umana Itaketo

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CITATION OF PROFESSOR UMANA ITAKETO

Towards the end of the decade of the 1950s came the first child of Obong & Mrs

Thompson Itaketo Umana of Ukan, Edem Aya in Ikot Abasi LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

He paved the way for five other children of the couple; two boys and three girls. The

father (now late), gave him an adoring name –Akaneren and a baptismal name --

Nseobong, at Methodist Church. The name “Akaneren,” became so popular for the little

boy throughout the entire community (till today) to the extent that the name “Nseobong”

gradually faded off. Daddy had always mentioned that he named the little boy

“Akaneren,” for the remembrance of his grandfather: Umana. It was because of this that

when the little “Akaneren” was to enroll for his primary education, his first name

automatically became “Umana” instead of “Akaneren” (since the name of his great

grandfather was “Umana”). That once-little boy is today’s inaugural lecturer: Professor

Umana Itaketo. According to him, if his opinion is sought today, he would have preferred

to use “Akaneren” in school instead of “Umana.”

EDUCATION

When it was time for “Akaneren” to enroll for primary education, he did so in a

village primary school, Government Primary School, Ikot Akpan, Edem Aya, in Ikot

Abasi LGA of Akwa Ibom State. He spent most of his youthful life in the village and

equally grew up there. The young Akaneren was so brilliant that the headmaster made

him skip primary class 2 and later on skip primary class 4 as well, in the 6-years primary

school programme. In other words, he spent 4 years, instead of 6, in primary school and

eventually passed the final mock primary 6 examination with a distinction grade. He

couldn’t take the primary 6 final examination as it didn’t hold due to the outbreak of the

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Nigerian Civil war in 1967. At the end of the civil war, the primary school

headmaster recommended him to take entrance examinations to three (3) secondary

schools, and this he did, passing top in the list in all the three schools. He eventually

chose the popular Regina Coeli College, Essene, Ikot Abasi, for his secondary

education. He performed brilliantly through the classes. However, in his 3rd term of

class 4, tragedy struck: his father (who was responsible for his school fees), died after a

prolonged sickness. The boy “Akaneren” had no one to sponsor him anymore in school.

The only school uniform he had changed its colour naturally from white/white to light

brown/light brown and started tearing, all due to regular washing every weekend and

use the subsequent week; none to alternate with. He then pulled out of school and

returned to the village.

In the village, he engaged himself in menial jobs in order to raise money to go

back to school. The jobs were engagements such as digging of 12 feet – deep pit native

toilets for people, construction of native fences with palm fronds and raffia palms for

people, etc. Quite often, he used to accompany his mother to the farm and helped her in

several aspects of farm work. One day, he went to a swamp to gather raffia palm fronds

for fence construction. He climbed to the top of the raffia palm but unfortunately, lost his

balance at the top and fell off. He found himself stuck in the mud with a deep cut on his

right knee. The young Akaneren cried back home, limping, with mud and blood all over

his body. The scare he sustained from the cut is still there till today. Several family

members and friends abandoned him at this time. Still, he didn’t lose hope in life. Very

many ugly and pathetic incidents trailed this very chapter of his early life, some

unspeakable and unprintable hence imprudent to be presented here.

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While on the menial jobs, he kept companion with the West African School

Certificate Examination (WASCE) syllabus to prepare for the school certificate

examination (all by himself), hoping that he “would soon return to school” to join his

classmates. The remaining part of the first term passed, this did not happen. He didn’t

lose hope. The second term began and ended, still he couldn’t return to school. By the

third term, a family friend, by name Major Imeh Udoh (now retired), visited the family

during his annual vacation to condole with the family on the death of his father. During

the visit, Major Imeh asked for his last school result and he brought it. (That was the

promotion examination result from class 4 to 5). By the result, he came 4th in a class of

82 students. Major Imeh promised to offer some financial assistance after returning to

his station in Jos, that time. He kept to his promise and this was a huge relief. He then

supplemented his little income from the village jobs with what Major Imeh offered and

enrolled as an external candidate for 7 papers, in November/December GCE O/L

examinations. He eventually took the examinations. When the results came out, he

passed in the 7 papers, scoring alphas in 4 and credits in 3, with Mathematics and

Physics being among the alphas and credit in Additional Mathematics, (now called

Further Mathematics), one of his favourite subjects. The coast was now clear for the

young Akaneren to launch himself into the career of his choice ----- Engineering.

Before he enrolled for University education, he worked briefly at Nigerian Ports

Authority, Lagos, as a clerk from 1977 to 1979. During the period, he again enrolled as

a private candidate for Nov/Dec GCE A/L in Mathematics and Physics, in 1979. In 1980,

he gained a direct entry admission into the then newly-established first University of

Science & Technology in Nigeria, the Anambra State University of Science &

Technology, Enugu, now Enugu State University of Science & Technology (ESUT), to

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study Electrical/Electronic Engineering & Computer Science. He was the only student

from the then Cross River State in that University at that time.

His enrollment in this first University of Science & Technology in Nigeria was

facilitated by a scholarship award from the Cross River State government. In 1985, he

graduated top of his class, narrowly missing a First Class Honours degree. He

completed the programme in 2nd Class hons (Upper Division), with a CGPA of

3.48/4.00 (4 point scale at that time).

Immediately after his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which he did in

Lagos State during the 1986/87 service year, in October 1987, he enrolled for a

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with a

Federal Government Scholarship. While on the Master’s programme, he was

simultaneously employed as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department. In 1989, he was

through with the Master’s programme, completing it with a distinction.

In late 1989, “Akaneren” secured a job in Mobil Producing Nigeria as an

Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer. As he still had his mind in academic career, in

1996, he enrolled for a doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering (to major in Control

Engineering), at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). By 2001, he was

through and obtained a Ph. D. degree in Control Engineering, still with a distinction. He

is the first Ph. D. degree graduate of the Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering

of that University. Four (4) years later (2005), he joined the University of Uyo. By the

time he joined the University, he had published 22 academic journal papers, with 9 of

them in Europe, 2 in USA, 1 in Singapore and 10 in Nigeria. With these efforts, this

young Professor of Control Engineering holds three layers of academic degrees as

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follows: B.Eng, (Hons.), (Electrical/Electronic Engineering & Computer Science),

(U.Sc. & Tech., Enugu), M. Eng. (Systems & Control Engineering) (UNN) and a Ph. D.

(Control Engineering), (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, (FUTO)), which he, by

God’s grace, never paid school fees in order to obtain any; all were by scholarship.

Ever since he joined the University, he has lectured across the various levels of

study in Electrical/Electronic & Computer Engineering Department. Just 6 months after

being employed, he was appointed an Acting Head of Department (HOD), a position he

held for almost 10 years, unbroken. During his tenure as the Head of this two-in-one

Department, the Department had grown from strength to strength. Just to mention a

few, during his tenure as the HOD, the Department secured full accreditation status in

2007 from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the two B. Eng.

programmes: Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Computer Engineering. NUC visited

the Department again in 2014 for accreditation. Result of that visitation is awaited.

Also, during his tenure, in 2012, the Department secured a full professional

accreditation status for the two programmes from the Council for the Regulation of

Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

It was during his tenure as the HOD that a postgraduate programme was

established; for the award of M. Eng. degrees in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, M.

Eng. in Computer Engineering and Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in both

Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Computer Engineering programmes. In addition,

Ph. D. degree programme is on-going in Electrical/Electronic Engineering programme

(only for staff candidates for now), still during his tenure. The list is endless. “Akaneren”

is now mostly teaching the post graduate students and supervising their research

works.

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He is widely-travelled and has been to the following countries: United States of

America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, France and Germany. Most

especially, he has visited all the Southern States of United States of America, from

South Carolina to California.

ACADEMIC CAREER

Ever since he joined the University, he has had steady progress through the

ranks. Today, he is standing here as an academic colossus, a Professor of Control

Engineering. “Akaneren” has in his kitties over 36 academic journal publications in

Electrical, Electronic and Control Engineering, in national and international journals. He

equally dares into Mathematics and has published some papers in Applied Mathematics

in overseas journals. A good number of those publications have been referenced across

the world and translated into major foreign languages, some of which are available in

the internet. He has published three textbooks: one in Mathematics, one in Statistics

and co-authored one in Control Engineering, all for university students. Also, he has

four (4) academic books in print, (all in Electrical/Control Engineering), hopefully would

be published very soon. His good knowledge and skills in Mathematics has been

recognized in the University. This earned him an appointment as an internal examiner in

postgraduate programmes in the Department of Mathematics/Statistics and in the

Department of Physics here at the University of Uyo.

He has so far, successfully supervised several undergraduate projects and

supervised 5 Master’s degree dissertations. He is equally co-supervising a Ph. D.

candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Uyo. “Akaneren”

is also an inventor as he holds a patent of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for his

design invention on Digital Electronic Speed Control Device for Automobiles. Professor

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Itaketo (Akaneren) has reviewed several Engineering/Scientific papers for

various learned journal outfits across the world.

When he was the Head of Department, in addition to his responsibility as a Head,

he was, and still is, equally the Assistant Co-ordinator of Intellectual Property

Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), of the University of Uyo. He played a pioneering

role in the establishment of this office/centre. “Akaneren” has served in various

capacities within and outside the University of Uyo as listed below under “Services to

the University of Uyo” and “Community/National Services.” He was the only Engineer

from Akwa Ibom State extraction appointed by the Federal Government of Nigeria in

2010 to participate in Science & Technology thematic group in the vision 20:20:20

project, at Abuja, for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has won several international

awards, prizes and earned distinctions across the world, all due to his exploits in

Electrical/Control Engineering. These are all listed under “Awards, Prizes & Distinctions”

below.

DISTINCTIONS/RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS, WITH DATES:

• Developed an equation in one of my published papers titled: “Misconceptions

(And Corrections) on the Applications of j-operator in Electrical/Electronic

Engineering” The equation was successfully used by a postgraduate student at

the University of Lagos to solve complex analysis problem (June 2013)

• Given Award of Excellence by the National Association of Electrical /Electronics

Engineering Students (NAEES), University of Uyo Chapter, in recognition of

outstanding performance in academic profession, March 2013.

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• Given Award of Excellence by the Association of Computer Engineering Students

(ACES) University of Uyo Chapter, in recognition of my passion for the

Development of Computer Engineering Students March 2013.

• Given Award of Excellence by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Eket

Branch during its 2012 Engineering week.

• Given Award of Excellence by the Students Union Government of the University

of Uyo, Uyo, May 2012

• Given a Presidential Merit Award at Port Harcourt on the golden jubilee

celebration of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), May 2008, for

distinguished achievements in Engineering Profession.

• Listed in “Living Legends,” by International Biographical Centre (IBC),

Cambridge, England, (2004).

• Honoured with the “Scroll of Legends,” by IBC, Cambridge, England, (2004).

• MERIT AWARD from Edem Aya Community, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State,

Nigeria, (2004).

• Listed in “2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century”, by IBC,

Cambridge, England (2003)

• Holds the 2000 Millennium Golden Medal of Honour, from American Biographical

Institute (ABI), Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

• Given “Award of Excellence”, by the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students’

Association, University of Uyo Branch (1999).

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• Listed in “Who’s Who in America” by Marquis, USA, every year, since 1999.

• Obtained several congratulatory messages/letters from my alma maters and

professional organizations for academic and professional excellence, (1999).

• Listed in “Outstanding People of the 20th Century”, by IBC, (1999).

• Given “Award of Excellence”, by the National Association of Ikot Abasi Students,

University of Uyo Chapter (1998).

• Won 1998 MERIT AWARD of IBC, Cambridge, England.

• Listed in “Who’s Who in Science & Engineering” by Marquis, USA, every year,

since 1998.

• Listed in “Who’s Who in the World” by Marquis, USA, every year, since 1998.

• Won Faculty B.Eng. BEST PROJECT prize, faculty of engineering, in the

University (1984/85 session).

SERVICES TO THE UNIVERSITY OF UYO

• Served as a Resource Person in interviewing candidates for the position of

Director, Computer Services, Uniuyo, 23 September 2013.

• Served in the Task Force that drafted a proposal for a Fund raising of $750,000

from Uniuyo/Afren Oil Company for the Department of Chemical/Petroleum

Engineering, Uniuyo, May 2012

• Served as a member in the interview panel for the employment of Computer

Systems Engineers, Internet Administrators and Web Masters for the University

of Uyo, May 2012

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• Served as member in the interview panel for employment of Deputy Director of

Works for Uniuyo, May 2012

• Served as a member in the interview panel for the Regularization of Temporary

Appointments of Academic Staff in the Faculties of Engineering and Education,

April 2011

• Developed the Postgraduate Programme (PGD, M. Eng., & Ph. D.) in

Electrical/Electronic Engineering and in Computer Engineering for the

Department. (October 2010)

• Served as Chief Invigilator in the 2010/2011 Post-UTME examination for the

University of Uyo

• Presented a paper on Renewable Energy to the Energy Commission of Nigeria

(ECN) and the University of Uyo Community, 13 September 2010.

• Served in the Accreditation panel to the International Management and Finance

Institute (IMFI), Uyo, September, 2010

• Served as an external assessor (a resource person) in the recruitment interview

for the position of Higher Technical Officer (HTO) Electrical, for the University of

Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), August 2010.

• Appointed member of 2010 convocation transport and logistics sub-committee,

March 2010

• Served in the Committee that looked into the problem of examination results in

the department of Business Management, University of Uyo, August 2010

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• Served as an internal assessor to the Dept. of Civil Engineering in their

preparation for NUC accreditation, February, 2010

• Served in Senate Committee that investigated the violation of terms and

conditions of staff development award by Mr. Daniel Ikechukwu Egu, graduate

assistant, Department of Chemical/Petroleum Engineering, January 2010.

• Appointed a member of supervisory team for capital projects, University of Uyo,

effective May 2009.

• Appointed internal examiner for Postgraduate program in Physics, University of

Uyo, effective 2007/2008 session.

• Appointed member of 2009 convocation transport and logistics sub-committee.

• Served in Senate Committee that investigated missing Automatic Voltage

Regulators (AVRs) on a new 50 KVA generating set in the Department of

Communication Arts, a 60 KVA generator at the School of Continuing Education

and on a generator at the Computer Centre, March 2009.

• Served in Senate Committee that investigated the loss of laptop computers at the

UniUyo portal, May 2009.

• Appointed member of 2008 convocation transport and logistics sub-committee.

• Served in Senate Committee that investigated an allegation of examination

misconduct in the Department of Business Management, Faculty of Business

Administration, February 2008.

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• Served in Senate Committee that investigated the loss of a generator battery and

three jerry cans of diesel at the VSAT power house, December 2008.

• Served in Senate Committee that investigated the award of M.Sc. (Ed.) degree in

Computer Education by the Department of Vocational Education, February 2009.

The team also developed syllabi for B. Sc. (Ed.) and M. Sc. (Ed.) degrees in

Computer Education for the department.

• Represented the Vice Chancellor of the University in a Ceremony by the Nigerian

Stock Exchange, to Mr. Enebong Okon Ukpabio (Reg. No. 06/EG/EE/286), a 2nd

year Electrical/Electronic Engineering student, 2007 prize in the tertiary

institutions category in that year’s national essay competition organized by the

Nigerian Stock Exchange. The ceremony was at Mushin Centre, Onikan, Lagos,

date: 12 November, 2007

• Appointed into interview panel for the appointments of Deputy Bursar, Chief

Engineer (Electrical), Chief Medical Officers and Director of Internal Audit,

University of Uyo. December 2007

• Represented the Vice Chancellor in a similar ceremony above, same subject,

same Centre, on 24 November 2008, this time in respect of Mr. Aniekan Enefiok

Udoukpong (Reg. No. 04/EG/CO/091), a final year Computer Engineering

student.

• Served in the Senate Committee that investigated the cause of fire incident that

gutted building housing the Communication Arts Studio, November 2007.

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• Served in Senate Committee that investigated an alleged erroneous award of

B.Sc. degree in Economics to Umoh, Sylvester Joseph (91/UGO 0827) and

several others in that department, October 2007.

• Member, University of Uyo Senate from May 2006 to date.

• Acting Head, Department of Electrical/Electronics & Computer Engineering, (May

2006 to date).

• Resource person for the implementation of the OpenCourseWave (OCW)

programme in the University of Uyo.

• Appointed co-ordinator of Intellectual Property for the University of Uyo.

• Appointed internal examiner for Postgraduate Program in Mathematics/Statistics,

University of Uyo, effective 2005/2006 session.

• Restructured the B. Eng. academic syllabi for the Electrical/Electronics &

Computer Engineering programmes for the University of Uyo. July 2007

• Contributed ideas for the upgrade and standardization of Electrical power supply/

wiring for the permanent site of the University.

• Punctual at, and very committed to, work.

NATIONAL/STATE/COMMUNITY SERVICES OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY

• Appointed external examiner for the Department of Electrical Engineering,

University of Nigeria, Nsukka, effective 2009/2010 academic year.

• Selected for, and participated in, Nigeria’s vision 20: 2020 National project, April

2009

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• Appointed (by the Nigerian Society of Engineers…NSE) as member, Engineering

Education Committee in Nigeria, effective March 1, 2009.

• Appointed external examiner to Electrical/Electronic Engineering programme for

the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, 2009.

• Appointed external examiner to the Department of Electrical/Electronic

Engineering, Enugu State University of Science & Technology, 2008.

• Participated in the development of engineering academic program (academic

brief) for the Akwa Ibom State University of Technology (AKUTECH) June 2008

• Selected to participate (and participated) in Space Research project for the

National Space Research and Development Agency, Abuja, since April 2008.

• Appointed Member of Certificate Verification Committee (nation-wide) for the

Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), 2006.

• Appointed Examiner for NSE examinations Uyo centre; for candidates seeking

corporate membership admission to the society, September 2006.

• Appointed external moderator for the National Diploma (ND) examinations of

Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, September 2006.

The chairperson, please permit me to mention here also that Professor Umana

Itaketo is the first Professor of Electrical/Control Engineering in the University of Uyo,

and the first scholar and academic to be promoted to the rank of a Professor in the

Department of Electrical/Electronic & Computer Engineering, University of Uyo.

xxii

His hobbies include: solving Mathematics, reading, listening to the radio, listening

to classical music, farming and watching the television. Also, as “Akaneren,” he enjoys

oral history from the elders whenever he visits his village. Professor Itaketo (Akaneren)

is happily married to Mrs Imaobong Umana Itaketo with children.

The chairperson, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is a singular privilege for

me to present to you this first Professor of Electrical/Control Engineering and first

inaugural lecturer in the Department of Electrical/Electronic & Computer Engineering

University of Uyo, an icon of Engineering, an erudite scholar of international repute, a

pace-setter in Control Engineering with uncommon mathematical wizardry,

acknowledged globally, an embodiment of Engineering and knowledge with exquisite

and outstanding intelligence yet humble and God-fearing, as the 43rd distinguished

inaugural lecturer of the University of Uyo, --- Professor Umana Itaketo (Akaneren).

xxiii

TABLE OF CONTENT

Dedication - - -- - - - - - - iii

Acknowledgements And Appreciation- - - - - - vi

Citation- - - - -- - - - - - xv

Table of Content- - -- - - - - - - xvi

List of Figures- - -- - - - - - - xvii

List of Acronyms- - - - - - - - xviii

1.0 Preamble - - - - - - - - -

2.0 Section A: Introduction An insight into what Systems,

Instrumentation, Automation and Control, are all about: -

2.01 Systems- - - - - - - - - -

2.02 Instrumentation & Automation- - - - - - -

2.03 Process- - - - - - - - - -

2.04 Input - - - - - - - - - - -

2.05 Error

2.06 Controller- - - - - - - - - -

2.07 Output- - - - - - - - - -

2.08 Feedback- - - - - - - - - -

2.09 Analogue Signal - - - - - - - -

xxiv

2.10 Digital Signal - - - - - - - -

3.0 Section B1: Applications of Instrumentation & Control in Industrial

Processes- - - - - - - - -

3.1 The disadvantages in human/manual sensing and control - - -

3.2 The advantages of automatic sensing and response (control) in any

production operation - - - - - - - -

4.0 Section B2: Application of Automatic Control in the Control of

Process Temperature- - - - - - - -

5.0 Section B3: Nigerian Industries Situation Regarding Process (Plant)

Control in Manufacturing /Processing Operations- - - -

6.0 Section C: Recommendation

7.0 Section D: Conclusion

References

xxv

LIST OF FIGURES

Fig. 1: A Simplified Block Diagram of An Instrumentation & Control Arrangement-

Fig. 2: Manual Plant Temperature Monitoring and Control - -- - -

Fig. 3: Automatic Plant Temperature Monitoring and Control - - -

LIST OF ACRONYMS

A/D: Analogue-To-Digital Converter

D/A: Digital-To-Analogue Converter

TT: Temperature Transmitter

SON: Standards Organization of Nigeria

PROTOCOL

• The Vice-Chancellor and Chairperson of the occasion,

Professor (Mrs) Comfort M. Ekpo

• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Administration), Prof. Trenchard O. Ibia

• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Academic), Prof. Enomfon J. Akpan

• The Registrar, Mrs Edak U. Umondak

• The Librarian, Professor Mrs Felicia Etim

• The Bursar, Mr. Jacob Eseneyen

• Other Principal Officers of the University of Uyo

• The Provost, College of Health Sciences

• The Chairman, Committee of Deans

• Dean, Post-Graduate School

• Deans of Faculties and Dean of Students Affairs

• Directors of Institutes and Units

• Heads of Departments

• Distinguished Professors and other Members of Senate

• Erudite scholars and academics from the University of Uyo and other

sister institutions

• Dear Colleagues

• My Lord, Spiritual and Temporal

• Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord

• Great Nigeria Students and the “Tusker Republic”

• Family Members

• Friends and well-wishers

• Gentlemen of the Press

• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

1.0 PREAMBLE

On the request of the Registrar of the University, by a letter dated 4 January

2013, my documentation for professorial assessment were submitted at the Vice-

Chancellor’s office in early January 2013. However, after the events that occurred in the

University on 12 June 2013, the Registrar again, by a letter dated 28 October 2013,

requested for another set of the documentation for the same purpose. This, I obliged.

Since then, I had been keeping my ears to the ground whenever the Appointments &

Promotions Committee (A &PC) met, expecting to “hear something”. Nothing was forth-

coming.

It was only after the A&PC of October 2014, that news filtered in having it that my

assessment reports were among those presented and that I was in good shape. I

exclaimed “Thanks be to God” This news was further buttressed and confirmed by an

official letter I received from management in November 2014, announcing my promotion

from the rank of an Associate Professor to that of a Professor.

Over the years, Nigerians have had to use some products of low quality. I took

this to be the basis of my inaugural lecture and developed a title from it. The title, I

believe, would not only be interesting and exciting to the audience but also in tandem

with the contemporary Nigerian situation, and it is:

“Addressing the Quagmire of Poor Quality Products in Nigeria’s

Process Industries through Applied Systems Instrumentation,

Automation and Control”

Today, I am happy to stand before this audience to do justice to that title. I thank

the Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar and the entire management team for giving me this

slot. The lecture is divided into four (4) sections: A, B, C and D.

Section A: Introduction: An insight into what Systems, Instrumentation,

Automation and Control, are all about.

Section B: How Automatic Control could be applied in industrial processes in

Nigeria’s process industries to bring about good quality products

Section C: Recommendation

Section D: Conclusion

2.0 SECTION A: INTRODUCTION

An insight into what Systems, Instrumentation, Automation and Control,

are all about

In several cases, if not all, Nigerians of all works of life tend to prefer foreign

products to local ones. The reason is simple to tell, ---- due to poor quality of our own

products. Why are the qualities of some of these locally-produced goods poor? The

reason could be due to low quality raw materials/components of the products or faulty

manufacturing /processing methods. Since a good percentage of the materials /

components of products are natural, it goes down to the fact that what could be mostly

responsible for the poor quality of some of the locally-produced goods are faulty

manufacturing or processing procedures. If standards have been set or established for

the manufacturing or processing of any product, then, in order to meet those standards,

manufacturing procedures should be fully automated, not partially automated or outright

manual.

The following few examples of Nigerian products are presented to buttress the

points raised: The quality of iron rods produced in Nigeria, molded blocks used in

buildings construction, dry cells (batteries) used in operating radios, locally-

manufactured batteries used in operating automobiles, and so on, the list is endless.

It is a common sight all over the country these days to see young men picking up

anything metallic from the streets. Most of these metallic pieces are often rusty and

corroded. These rusty and corroded metal pieces end up being recycled to produce

another set of rods. If automatic control procedures have not always been applied in the

manufacturing processes of these “new” rods, these are better done because it will

ensure good quality rods as the chemical additives, mechanical properties; etc, of the

would-be new rods would be automatically checked and ensured.

Let’s take molded blocks and look at the components which are sand, cement,

water, atmospheric conditions and the mold itself. A 6” mold is supposed to produce a 6

“ block. For the block to acquire the established 7- days, 14-days and 21-days crushing

strength, the listed components should be in established right proportions, not mere

guesses. The process of block molding is mostly done manually. For bag of cement, a

certain quantity of sand, measured by volume, is often added. The next component:

water is often by estimate, not by any established measurement, either by weight or

volume. Also, the mixing is often done manually, not by any mechanized process,

except that of a few corporate organizations. If fully automated and mechanized

procedures are applied in block molding, then the established 7-days, 14-days and 21-

days crushing strengths could be attained. If on the other hand, manual procedures are

used, the specified crushing strengths could sometimes not be attained. These could

lead to poor quality building blocks.

The same scenario applies to radio batteries, automobile batteries, roofing

sheets, etc. How then should goods be manufactured or processed in order to ensure

good quality? The answer is by applying Systems Instrumentation, Automation and

Control.

2.01 Systems

What is a system? A system, by definition, is an aggregation of things so

combined by nature or man, as to form an integral or complex whole and can receive

input signals, process those signals, and deliver output signals (Ogbogu & Itaketo,

2007). Systems hence can be seen to be all around us, as long as such device can

receive input signals (commands), process those signals and deliver meaningful and

useful output results. The ways systems are used now takes us to Instrumentation.

2.02 Instrumentation & Automation

Instrumentation is the interconnection of systems to enable the entire

arrangement to perform identified tasks of interest automatically, quickly and accurately,

thereby producing acceptable outputs/results. (Liptak, 2010). Now, if anything is to be

done automatically, quickly and accurately, without human intervention, then at least

one controller must be involved. Hence to have a functional instrumentation

arrangement, at least one controller must be in the loop.

With a controller in the loop, we now have an automated system. The loop can

now function by itself; taking its own “decisions,” all without human intervention, this is

“Automation,” (Liptak, 2010). When a controller is present in any instrumentation

arrangement, it is there for a purpose; to “control.” To “control” means “to ensure that

what was desired is what is obtained.” That is what Control Engineering is basically

about. Hence, in Control Engineering, we often talk about Instrumentation and Control.

When a full Instrumentation and Control arrangement (interconnections) is in place, and

the objectives of the arrangement (interconnection) are obtained or obtainable, then we

have an “Automated System.”

Any Instrumentation and Control interconnection must have the following

parameters: Process, Input, Error, Controller, System, Output and Feedback. In very

simple terms, the parameters are now defined as follows:

2.03 Process: A process is any dynamic activity that involves change of state from its

previous condition. (Change of state means that change in time is involved). The

change could be change in position, level, pressure, flow, temperature, light

intensity, volume, etc.

2.04 Input: Input is the desired value (an objective or objectives) in any process in

terms of quality and/or quantity.

2.05 Error: Error is a difference (a deviation) between what is obtained (the output)

and what was desired (the input).

2.06 Controller/Comparator: This is a device that compares the actual value of a

process at any point in time (output), with the desired value (input) and performs

logical computation. If there is any deviation from the desired value, it means

there’s an error. It would hence initiate a corrective action to the system to

ensure that what is obtained is what was desired. A comparator could be a

computer or any device capable of performing logical computation.

System: (already defined)

2.07 Output: An output in any instrumentation and control interconnection is the

actual value of what is obtained from a process at any point in time.

2.08 Feedback: In order for the output to be “compared” with the “input,” there is

always a “feedback” loop from the output stage to the input stage often facilitated by at

least one feedback sensor. (Liptak, 2010)

2.09 Analogue Signals: Signals that vary continuously as time progresses .

2.10 Digital Signals: Signals that only have discrete values as time progresses.

Human beings are the most-sophisticated and complete natural feedback control

system (Ogata, 2010). In the case of a human being, the natural sensors in us produce

the six (6) natural human consciousness comprising hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting,

feeling, and urge. In human beings, the controller is the indefatigable brain, which

interprets what we hear, see, smell, taste, feel, and the urge that we have, and

thereafter uses the results to regulate any of the activities automatically (with or without

our human consciousness) or “instructs” us to carry out the regulation manually by

ourselves. The brain, in any living being, could be regarded as the “Command and

Control Centre.” It co-ordinates all the activities in the human body.

Hence, by a simple diagram, a complete Instrumentation and Control system,

which gives rise to Automation, is as shown in Fig. 1 below:

Fig. 1 is a simplified block diagram of An Instrumentation & Control arrangement,

a control system.

Controller

Deviation (Error)

Plant Plant

Output Reference

Input

(Set Point) +

−

Output Sensor (Feedback Element)

Fig. 1: A Simplified Block Diagram of A Feedback Instrumentation & Control System

3.0 SECTION B1: APPLICATIONS OF INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL

IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES

There is virtually no industrial process anywhere in the world where there

is no control engineering. It could be implemented manually or automatically. Any

production process involves a change of state in at least one of the following variables:

Level

Temperature

Flow

Pressure

Light intensity

Weight

Viscosity

Sound and

Atmospheric conditions (Andrew et al, 2005)

When a change in state occurs, how is it sensed and how is it responded to with

respect to what the objective(s) of the production is? The sensing could be manual, in

which case at least one of the following six human senses could be applied:

Seeing

Feeling

Hearing

Smelling

Tasting

Having an urge

The response could equally be manual, in which case human energy and

senses are applied to effect any correction in order to obtain the required objectives.

Though these have advantages such as keeping away from the high cost and

complexity of modern technology and creating human employment, the benefits of

employing modern technology to do the “sensing” (for feedback) and “control” (the

response) far exceeds that of doing it manually.

3.1 The disadvantages in human/manual sensing and control are as

follows:

• There could be inaccuracy due to poor human judgment.

• The “interpretation” of what an individual is sensing could be subjective to his/her

own state of mind and level of awareness of what he/she is sensing.

• If what is to be sensed should be at specific intervals, the person could be a few

seconds, minutes, even hours, late or early.

• There could be truancy on the job, leading to presentation of false information.

• The speed of human sensing and response would not be fast enough to meet the

dynamics of the process, in which case, a lot of changes would have taken place

in the process before the response (control) is effected.

• Due to inaccurate human sensing and response to process changes, apart from

the obvious poor quality product at the end, several technical

components/equipment in the production line could be damaged due to

excessive parameter variations as a result of the changes in the process

dynamics.

• The person doing the sensing and response (control) could be tired on the job

and start showing unwillingness to work. This could lead to several adverse

situations including inaccurate actions and decisions on what he/she is supposed

to do.

• The person(s) could decide to go on strike and production operations will be shut

down.

• Improper / inaccurate knowledge of operations and/or parameter variations by

the person in charge could be detrimental to products quality.

• At the end of any or all of these, the results will be poor quality products, all due

to human/manual sensing and control in production operations.

• Poor quality products could result in adverse economic, health, educational,

demographic, socio-cultural, effects, etc.

3.2 The advantages of automatic sensing and response (control) in any

production operation are as follows:

• Accuracy in sensing of output information and timely response are ensured.

• Continuity in operations is assured in time increments that can never be

measured by any human being.

• The control action is independent of human decision but dependent on pre-

programmed electronic-computerized logic hence control actions (decisions) are

executed in real-time as opposed to what is obtained in manual/human control.

• High quality of the product is assured due to automatic sensing and

electronic/computerized real-time control.

• The frequency of output sampling (measurement) is far beyond human

imagination (this could be in milli or microseconds). Hence, the chances of not

sampling any change in the state of the process are practically ruled out – not

possible. These type of fast cycles and timely actions are not possible in

human/manual control as no human being can measure time in that resolution.

With any change in state being sampled in milli or microseconds, and necessary

corrective actions being taken equally in milli or microseconds (in real time), high

quality product is assured.

• With automatic control, operations and production logging data/trending are

possible. This equally provides historical information on control/production

operations, a feat that is not possible in human/manual control.

• With automatic control measurement and electronic-computerized control, multi-

input, multi-output control operations can easily be implemented accurately and

effectively. This is not possible in human/manual control.

• There is efficient time management since all measurement and control actions

are taken automatically and speedily. A human being can only do one thing at a

time but an electronic device, such as a computer, can perform over ten million

activities in less than a microsecond.

It would be seen immediately that these advantages overweigh that of

human/manual sensing and control. Since the benefits of automatic control, as opposed

to manual/human control, have been presented, how then could automatic control be

applied to industrial control processes in order to obtain these benefits? A simple

industrial control process will be used to illustrate the application.

4.0 SECTION B2: APPLICATION OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL IN THE

CONTROL OF PROCESS TEMPERATURE

Let it be assumed that it is required to heat a process to a certain

temperature, say 60 degrees Celsius, using steam. Let it also be assumed that it is very

critical that the output temperature of the process be maintained at 60 degrees Celsius.

Heating of the process is carried out through a stream of steam injected into a vessel

where the process pipe is passing through. If the output temperature goes above 60

degrees Celsius, then the flow of the steam should be reduced. If it is less, then it

should be increased.

The operating Company running the business of heating the process to 60

degrees now employs a man to do the “monitoring” (sensing) of the temperature and

controlling it for them manually. Note, the desired process temperature is 60 degrees

Celsius. This manual monitoring and control is depicted in Fig. 2 below.

The points that should be noted in the sketch are as follows:

• This is a manual feedback control operation.

• The man is the “controller.”

• The control input (the set point temperature, 60 Deg. Celcius), is stored in the

man’s head.

• The process is the fluid being heat.

• The plant is the vessel where the heating is taking place.

• The control system output is the output temperature of the process fluid at any

point in time.

• The “feedback element” from the output stage to the input stage is the man’s

eyes looking at the temperature gauge (indicator).

Fig. 2: A Manually – Controlled Heating Process

Cold Process Fluid

Process pump

Heating Vessel

Temperature gauge

Exhaust

Hot Process Fluid

Steam

Manual Valve

Desired Temperature Setting = 60°C Stored in the brain

Now, all the disadvantages earlier listed about manual/human feedback control are

all associated with this sketch.

How then could this type of process be CONTROLLED using APPLIED SYSTEMS

INSTRUMENTATION AND AUTOMATION in order to ensure that the output

temperature is maintained accurately at 60 Deg. Celsius? The sketch below in Fig. 3

provides the answer.

The points that should be noted about Fig. 3 are as follows:

• This is an automatic control feedback control operation.

• The digital computer is the controller, taking digital signals only as input and

giving out digital signals as output..

Fig. 3: Automatic Control of a Heating Process

Process pump

Heating Vessel

Temperature gauge

Exhaust

Hot Process Fluid

Steam inlet (for heating)

+ −

Cold Process Fluid

T T

Automatic Control Valve

D/A

A/D

Deviation (Error)

Digital Comparator Required Temperature

Set Point (Control input)

• The control input (the set point temperature), is stored in the computer (not

someone’s head)

• The process is the fluid being heat.

• The plant is the vessel where the heating is taking place.

• The control output is the output temperature of the process fluid at any point in

time.

• The feedback element from the output stage to the input stage is the temperature

transmitter, (TT).

• The output of the TT is an analogue signal hence has to be converted to a digital

signal (0 or 1) using an Analogue-To-Digital (A/D) converter before being applied

to the digital computer.

• The digital signal from the digital computer is converted to its analogue

equivalent through the Digital-To-Analogue (D/A) converter before being applied

to the automatic control valve.

• The output of the D/A converter is then used to operate the automatic control

valve; either to open more to admit more steam to heat the process if the output

temperature is not up to 60 Deg. Celsius or close slightly to reduce the flow of

steam in order not to over-heat the process.

Now, the advantages earlier listed about automatic control are all associated with

the sketch in Fig. 3.

The choice is now that of the owner of the business on which type of control strategy to

apply in his business: MANUAL/HUMAN OR AUTOMATIC? I’m sure you all know the

answer ---- AUTOMATIC.

5.0 SECTION B3: NIGERIAN INDUSTRIES SITUATION REGARDING PROCESS

(PLANT) CONTROL IN MANUFACTURING/PROCESSING OPERATIONS

A field visit to some manufacturing/processing industries in Nigeria will reveal

that a good number of them are running their operations manually or semi-manually.

Semi-manually in the sense that some stages are run manually while some are run

automatically. Quite a few are running their plant at 100% automation. Whether a plant

is run manually or semi-manually, the result will still be the same – POOR QUALITY

PRODUCTS. The reasons for the management of a manufacturing/processing industry

to put a plant on manual or auto control vary among industries: They could be as

follows:

1. Lack of effective implementation of government legislation for industries to

produce top-grade quality products.

2. Financial position of an establishment; not being able to afford the cost of auto

equipment/machinery.

3. Technical complexity of the high-tech equipment/machinery on the fear that its

technical staff may not have a good understanding of how to operate and

maintain the high-tech auto equipment/machinery.

4. Considering the location of industries here in Nigeria, the fear of not being able to

obtain functional spare parts and components for the high-tech

equipment/machinery if they break down, when locally-produced ones are not

available. The quality of the locally-produced ones (when available), could

equally be a concern.

5. The fear of throwing people out of jobs is there if full automation is applied at all

stages of industrial processes.

6. Concern about unemployment hence “creating jobs” for family members, friends,

community members, political associates, etc., where automatic control would

have been employed to do the job more effectively and more accurately.

All the points listed above are at the expense of manufacturing/processing

industries coming up with good quality products. These fears/concerns need not be

entertained as the following points could provide possible solutions to them.

1. The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) should enforce the standards set

on the paper for the quality of every product produced in Nigeria or those to be

brought into the country. Various legislations have been made on this but the

implementations of those legislations are not quite effective. That’s when

manufacturers get away with possible government sanctions with their inferior

quality products.

2. When budgets for a manufacturing organization are being prepared,

adequate/appropriate budgeting for procurement and maintenance of high-tech

auto equipment/machinery for effective and accurate control of their production

operations should be put in place.

3. Since the entire world is now moving on “cutting edge” technology, in all aspects

of life, Nigerian industries cannot afford to be left behind or choose to be at the

rear. Technical staff, at any age, employed to run any industrial operations,

should be ready to learn and adapt themselves to applications of modern

technology which is the way of doing business today else look for another job.

There should hence be no fear of any technical complexity of any high-tech auto

equipment/machinery.

4. Considering the fact that we are a developing country, and most technical

components are not locally-produced, the managements of industrial

organizations should adopt the concept of “lead-time” planning whereby orders

for critical components/parts of technical equipment/machinery are placed and

received well ahead in time so as to mitigate the effect of any sudden equipment

breakdown or sudden component failure.

5. If full industrial automation tends to displace people from employment, such

people could be deployed to other sections of the organization. It should be

noted that emphasis on this lecture is on INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION. Hence, if

automation takes over the job that a human being was doing (inaccurately and

ineffectively), in order to make a living, the “displaced person” could be deployed

to a non-precision and non-time sensitive sections of the manufacturing sector of

the organization where accuracy and pin-point timely actions might not really be

required in real time hence products quality not directly affected nor

compromised.

6. If there are any concerns about unemployment thereby trying to create jobs for

family members, friends, community members, associates, etc., such

employment could be done in non-process control areas. By so-doing, products

quality would not be compromised for the sympathy of creating employment for

the populace.

6.0 SECTION C: RECOMMENDATION

1. Nigerian manufacturing/processing industries should try their utmost to apply

automation in the control of their manufacturing/processing operations. This

would ensure high quality of their products.

2. Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) should do more by ensuring that

locally-produced goods meet standards set by the organization before they go

into the market for application or consumption. When this is done, they can

compete favourably with foreign ones and even surpass them in demand. A case

in point is the manufacturing of electrical power cables where Nigerian-

manufactured cables are far-better in quality, hence predominantly preferred to

foreign-made cables in Nigerian market. In fact, this class of power cables is not

only preferred in Nigerian market to foreign ones but are equally in high demand

outside the shores of this country. If SON can succeed in ensuring good and

high-quality in the production of electrical power cables, by ensuring and

enforcing high standards policy, why can’t it succeed in the manufacturing

industries of other products? This can be done.

3. There should be healthy competition, not rivalry, among manufacturing

organizations in Nigeria, for the production of high-quality goods as this will

enable Nigerian economy to grow and equally compete favourably with their

foreign counterparts.

4. Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) could establish and sustain annual

awards programmes for organizations with “Best Quality Products for the Year,”

and provide incentives for winners. This could spur others up to improve upon

their products qualities.

5. Sometimes. “Reverse Engineering” could be carried out to study why foreign

products are better in quality than our locally-produced ones and similar

technology applied to our manufacturing process in order to bridge the gaps of

quality.

7.0 SECTION D: CONCLUSION

• In conclusion, it should be noted that improvements in products quality, which

ultimately leads to industrial perfection and national economic growth, is a

gradual process. Nigerians should patronize locally-made goods. The

government, in its part, should show good political, social and economic will to

strengthen the capacities of manufacturing organizations by providing enabling

political, social and favourable economic climate for industrial organizations to

operate in.

• Manufacturing organizations, on their own part, should introduce feedback

mechanisms for their products. Such could be by including “Consumer Reports

Form” while packaging their products or provision of some other means of

communication such as e-mail addresses, phone numbers for text

messages/calls, all for customers to communicate back to them regarding the

quality or qualities of their products. That way, there will be regular feedback from

consumers to manufacturers. This mechanism could then lead to improvement in

products quality.

• Just before I end the lecture, let me inform the audience that another thing we do

in control engineering is to take what you think (as you inform us), what you want

to achieve, then convert all that into mathematical equations, and thereafter

develop/design control systems to implement it for you. Just tell us what you

want to achieve then go and rest. Forget about how we’re going to develop or

design a control system to implement it for you. That’s our job.

That’s the end of my lecture. Thank you for coming and thank you for your attention.

References

Andrew, W. G., William, H. B. (2007): Applied Instrumentation in the Process Industry,

Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, TX, 77045, USA pp: 65

Liptak, B. G. (2012): Process Control, CRC Press 2000 N. W. Corporate Blvd., Baco

Raton, Florida, 33431, USA, pp. 130-130

Ogata, K. (2010): Modern Control Engineering, Simon & Schuster, Alexandria

Distripark, Pasir Panjang Rd., Singapore, 118491, pp. 4 - 10

Ogbogu, S. O. E., Itaketo, U. T. (2007): Systems & Control Engineering, MC Computer

Press, 8 Nnewi Road, Nnewi, pp. 1 – 20.