The year started on a new note for the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in all forms of the word, as it officially sworn-in its 32nd president in the person of Engr. Babagana Mohammed. The occasion had in attendance government officials, past presidents and members of the society, well-wishers, and members of the press.
In his speech Engr. Babagana Mohammed shared his vision planned for the society during his two-year tenure which stems from his belief that “only Nigerian engineers and other Nigerian professionals can passionately develop the country with patriotism” and therefore “need to be actively involved in Nigeria’s economic development programs to enable the nation develop sustainably”. These goals which are holistic in nature pose different solutions for the various pain-points in the country ranging from education to infrastructure to capacity building and overall development.
The new President’s 20-point agenda which cuts across many facets is predicated on the mission statement of the society and are presented in the form of activities and programs which he elaborated on during his speech. These activities include the development of a 5-year Strategic Development Master Plan, the involvement of the society in the actualization of the Federal Government’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Road Map 2030, Summits for different Engineering Stakeholders, the implementation of Engineering Education Curriculum in Tertiary Institutions, the establishment of an Engineering Staff College of Nigeria, contribution to the Implementation of the Presidential Executive Order 5 through an Ad-hoc Committee Creation, Proposing of policies and bills to the National Assembly as it relates to engineers, impact projects, inter-collaboration with other professional bodies, among others.
Although he stressed on the role and importance of engineers to country development, he highlighted major challenges that have stifled optimum growth and contributions by those in the sector such as “dwindling revenues from economic resources and the ever-growing pile of debt for infrastructural projects” and urged the nation to “look inwards to utilize what it has, such as its local engineering capacities while providing Nigerian engineers with the right policy frameworks, and enabling conditions to build a nation of our dreams”.
He urged members of the society to “get Nigeria out of its underdeveloped state and bring it to an industrialized nation of global competitiveness which should be achieved by nationals and not foreigners”. He concluded his speech by stating that “together we can work to make a difference in the lives of our members and the prosperity of Nigerians”.
The investiture event held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on the 11th of January 2020.
