From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), yesterday, told states yet to implement the Grade Level 09 entry point for engineers in their states to do so.
In her inaugural speech on the occasion of her investiture as the first female president and the 34th president of the 65-year-old NSE, Engineer Margaret Aina Oguntala called on the Federal Government to formulate policies to compel employers of labour to pay commensurate welfare packages/hazard allowances for engineers.
Oguntala further urged the government to implement Order 5 with sincerity of purpose as well as promote Nigerian -made goods and services
“Presidency should invite the NSE to nominate engineers for inclusion in the newly- formed “Policy Co-ordination, Evaluation, Monitoring and Delivery Unit” as announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his 2024 New Year broadcast. We praise the president for this initiative.
“FG encourage entrepreneurship by providing incentives and support for engineers in small businesses and start-ups in the extractive industry
“Provide an enabling environment to encourage collaboration between engineering careers and universities to develop new technological innovations and innovations that benefit the nation” she said.
Earlier, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio had stated the need for the enhancement of engineering education and training.
“One area that demands our immediate attention is the enhancement of engineering education and training. We must strive to equip our engineers with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete on a global scale. This can be achieved through partnerships with educational institutions, industry leaders, and professional organisations. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, we can ensure that our engineers are armed with the latest tools and techniques to tackle complex engineering problems. I wholeheartedly agree with Engineers Ali Rabiu, President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), who believes that the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends on the production of sufficient engineering capacities to provide infrastructure and sustainable technology” he said
Akpabio who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin also noted that the government must address paucity of infrastructure in the country to fully harness the rich potentials of the country.
“Furthermore, we must address the issue of inadequate infrastructure and technological advancements in our country. Nigeria possesses immense potential for growth and development, but without proper infrastructure, we cannot fully harness this potential. As engineers, it is our responsibility to design and implement sustainable solutions that will drive economic growth, improve the quality of life for our citizens, and create an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. Just take a look at the statistics and you will be amazed by the impact Nigerian engineers are making globally.
“Our engineers are breaking new grounds and leading the way in technological innovation. The NSE should reach out to Nigerian engineers in the diaspora and urge them to respond to the call in our National Anthem, “Nigeria’s call…” Let them come home and share their skills with us” he wished.