The president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Engr. Otis Oliver Anyaeji FNSE has said that in the much orchestrated diversification of the nation`s economy, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has a key role to play, if the nation must obtain tangible result that would impact on the lives of Nigerians positively.
He stated this during the conferment of Fellows on some deserving members of NSE, among them is the Director General, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, Major General Bamidele Ogunkale was one, in a colourful ceremony held at Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja.
The president, who described General Ogunakale as an astute transformer noted that the senior officer had been saddled with an onerous responsibility that will make or mar the industrial cum economic progress of the nation.
He therefore called for more collaborative efforts between NSE and DICON stressing that the professional body will need the Corporation and participation of the DG, as well as the Corporation’s facilities in some urgent engineering tasks that bother on National Interest.
According to him, NSE has set some roadmap to proffer solution to some seemingly teething problems which the professional body`s input would be needed to alleviate, stressing that all members’ hands must be on deck as defender of the article as well as the tenacity of Engineers in Nigeria.
He further urged those newly conferred with the award of Fellow to be ready to protect Nigeria Engineering, especially on the issue of local content, adding that they would need political, technical as well as commercial will to be able to cope with their new status as Fellows.
“You will need to understand your role in the development of the nation; do not see this conferment as end, but an opportunity to render better services to NSE in particular and Nigerian society at large. You will need to exhibit a comprehensive understanding, not just in your specific engineering field, but in the role of engineering in the development of our beloved country.
The president further disclosed that a Board has been put in place to closely monitor the compliance of all Fellows to professional codes and ethics, stressing that Nigerians’ expectations were high. He added that the council will not hesitate to withdraw the certificate of any member found wanting. On the issue of perennial challenges bedeviling power sector reform in Nigeria, Dr. Michael Olusanya, who presented the lead lecture on “Power Sector Reform in Nigeria: The missing linking” noted that there was need for quick intervention by stake holders to prevent total collapse of the system.
The guest lecturer, who opined that there was need to revisit privatization model, added that despite the problems identified in that sector, privatization remained the only option for the Federal Government.
He therefore advised the stakeholders to go back to the drawing board with the aim of getting it right; stressing that he was delighted to know that the National Assembly was trying to rectify the problem of Power Sector through act of legislation.
The president took time to shower encomium on General Ogunkale when he took his turn on the stage to be decorated, describing him as an asset to the nation at a crucial moment when the nation is in dire need of Engineers’ input to national development.
By: Emmanuel Fateman
