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 that benefit the nation,” she said.
Earlier, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, 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.”
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.