NSE, NIGERIA AND VISION 20-2020: A STRATEGIC MISSION
SPEECH
DELIVERED BY ENGR. ADEMOLA ISAAC OLORUNFEMI, FNSE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS
INVESTITURE
AS
THE 29TH PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS ON SATURDAY,
11TH
JANUARY, 2014
Protocols:
Preamble
Let me briefly acknowledge all our distinguished professional colleagues here present. I sincerely appreciate all of you for the decision taken two years ago in electing me Deputy President, which has today qualified me to take over the mantle of leadership of our great Society. I am indeed, humbled by the confidence reposed in me by that singular action. There is probably no other higher honour that can be so conferred to equal the trust and confidence of professional peers. Today, then, ‘is the day, the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it…’ Psalm 118: 24.
Let me briefly acknowledge all our distinguished professional colleagues here present. I sincerely appreciate all of you for the decision taken two years ago in electing me Deputy President, which has today qualified me to take over the mantle of leadership of our great Society. I am indeed, humbled by the confidence reposed in me by that singular action. There is probably no other higher honour that can be so conferred to equal the trust and confidence of professional peers. Today, then, ‘is the day, the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it…’ Psalm 118: 24.
I
give glory to God, Almighty, for this privilege given us to witness yet another
smooth transition in the leadership of our great Society. I must thence hasten
to congratulate all members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and all our
guests for this milestone in the annals of the Society. “This is the word of
the Lord unto Zerubbabel saying, not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,
said the Lord of Hosts”. Zechariah 4:6.
My
tenure is coming at a most critical time in the history of our country.
Ordinarily, providing quality and inspirational leadership is but a daunting
task, yet we must succeed, and I am sure we will because I am able to count on
the rich experiences of several members of the Society, especially the
constellation of Past Presidents; our Legendary Forbearers, Fellows and Members
in diverse positions of esteem. What is more, there is a latent yearning of our
fellow countrymen, for the display of our engineering ingenuity to bring about
development to improve living standards.
I
am also reassured by our multi-disciplinary collaboration with many other
professional associations to consolidate our efforts at synergizing with the
leadership of the country to take our dear country to the promised land of
prosperity and citizen contentment.
Nigeria’s
national vision statement aspires that we become one of the 20 leading world
economies by the year 2020. Our top three economic development priorities are
to:
• become a globally competitive economy that is resilient, diversified, and able to fully optimize Nigeria’s human and natural resources to meet the needs and aspirations of her citizens
• become a globally competitive economy that is resilient, diversified, and able to fully optimize Nigeria’s human and natural resources to meet the needs and aspirations of her citizens
•
be an industrialized economy with a globally competitive manufacturing sector
that is tightly integrated with the primary resource base of the nation, and
contributes no less than 25% to Gross Domestic Product.
•
develop the agricultural sector through modernization and the establishment of
staple-crop processing zones.
While
the top three social development priorities are to:
•
be a peaceful, equitable, harmonious and just society where every citizen has a
strong sense of national identity and belonging, is truly valued by the State,
and is adequately empowered and motivated to contribute to the task of nation
building.
•
have a healthy and economically productive population that is growing at a
sustainable pace, supported by a healthcare system that caters for all,
sustains a life expectancy of not less than 70 years and reduces to the barest
minimum the burden of infectious and other debilitating diseases.
•
have a modern and vibrant educational system that meets international standards
of quality education; is accessible, and adequately aligned to the changing
needs of the society and the demands of industry.
Mr.
President Sir, your Excellencies, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, these
goals represent the aspiration of every Nigerian, who yearn for the best in
life, and it is in tandem with the expectation of our great Society. For we believe
and quite rightly that ‘engineering
technology is life’.
In
the words of one of my predecessor Presidents of our esteemed body, NSE, Engr.
Dr U. J. S. Uujahman, “anytime
I think about life, I wonder whether I am biased in saying that technology is
its essence, that engineering is about creating, planning, executing,
sustaining, ..about making changes” and progress.
No wonder, Dyson in 1989 stated thus, “Next to the gift of life is technology, for it is the greatest of God’s gifts as it offers the poor of the earth, a short cut to greatness and wealth, a way of getting rich by cleverness rather than by back-breaking labour”.
No wonder, Dyson in 1989 stated thus, “Next to the gift of life is technology, for it is the greatest of God’s gifts as it offers the poor of the earth, a short cut to greatness and wealth, a way of getting rich by cleverness rather than by back-breaking labour”.
It
is not surprising that countries that have made it or those that are emerging
embrace engineering and technology as the basis of their progress. Korea
Republic, for example, as a matter of deliberate policy, developed her
engineering capability in key cutting edge areas including semiconductor
electronics, telecommunications engineering, computer hardware and software
engineering, as well as genetic engineering, and we can see what that has meant
for a country that literally picked itself up from the rubbles of destruction
of the Korean war in the 50s to become a world 'knowledge and innovation power'
today.
Per
capital income rose from a mere US$67 in 1953, through US$82 in 1961 to
US$24,000 in 2007 and over US$30,000 today. It move itself from a beggar aid
recipient country to a donor country. The story is the same in Singapore and
other Asian Tigers. It is thus clear that in Nigeria’s quest for much desired
economic emancipation, the logical pathway is first through technological
emancipation. “Seek
ye first the kingdom of God, and everything else will be made manifest to you”, hence the basis of our offer of renewed and active
partnership with the Nigerian government and peoples is that “Nigeria must first seek engineering
conquest, in order to gain technological emancipation, upon which economic
prosperity shall be made manifest”.
In
this regard, let me briefly outline the most critical contributions that
engineering can make to the realization of our national vision;
• instigating and nurturing the technological work force, knowledge and innovation to facilitate the technical change needed to transform the economy and make it globally competitive
• instigating and nurturing the technological work force, knowledge and innovation to facilitate the technical change needed to transform the economy and make it globally competitive
•
contributing the technical and vocational work force to operate, service and
maintain the equipment and facilities for industrial production and provision
of services for the populace.
•
developing, managing and sustaining the physical and technical infrastructure
that will be the supporting skeleton/super-structure for the country’s
competitive development.
As
Prof. John Momoh of Howard University, USA noted recently while addressing the leadership
of our universities “the elements of the strategic knowledge based initiatives
to underpin our development strategy for a major economic revitalization must
include, but not limited to the following:
a.
Deliberate and focused investment in knowledge; science, technology and
innovation, being the the common denominator for all countries with strong
economy,
b. Exploiting the potential of universities to
instigate and sustain economic growth through knowledge-based policy
intervention. This is what universities do globally,
c. Promoting engagement in research and education focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),
d. Deliberately focusing on challenges facing the common Nigerians – hunger, disease, want, sustainable livelihood, etc
e. Using policy reforms and practical action to mitigate growing youth unemployment, restlessness and complacence, and in their stead exploit the collateral demographic dividend it
entails.
f. Empowering youths with knowledge, skills and planning capability needed to revitalize the industries, which will in turn provide practical training bases for young graduates.
c. Promoting engagement in research and education focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),
d. Deliberately focusing on challenges facing the common Nigerians – hunger, disease, want, sustainable livelihood, etc
e. Using policy reforms and practical action to mitigate growing youth unemployment, restlessness and complacence, and in their stead exploit the collateral demographic dividend it
entails.
f. Empowering youths with knowledge, skills and planning capability needed to revitalize the industries, which will in turn provide practical training bases for young graduates.
Strategic Partnership with Government
So, we are certain about our most critical challenges, we are certain about our aspirations, and we are indeed not oblivious of possible solutions. Many Past NSE Presidents before me have also used this podium of our inauguration to beam searchlights on the issue of national development and how engineering can be exploited to come to the rescue.
So, we are certain about our most critical challenges, we are certain about our aspirations, and we are indeed not oblivious of possible solutions. Many Past NSE Presidents before me have also used this podium of our inauguration to beam searchlights on the issue of national development and how engineering can be exploited to come to the rescue.
All
I need to add now Mr President Sir, is that we shall partner with Government
and all stakeholders; we shall join forces to draw workable plans for our
governments and all of us stakeholders to successfully implement the national
vision. We have what it takes to turn around our fortunes to fully actualize
the true great nation that we are.
We cannot over emphasis the fact that a healthy
relationship with government is essential. I commend my predecessors for the
inroads they have made particularly in the constant communications with the
apex of our government institutions. What they have achieved is enormous, in
view of the way already paved for closer ties with the critical organs. We will
continue to nurture a strong relationship in order to remain not only relevant
in the scheme of things in the country, but to position ourselves appropriately
to give the desired contributions for sustainable national development. In
particular, I shall ensure that the parley with Engineers elected into the
National Assembly as well as the meeting with Chief Executives of Engineering
based organizations which was initiated by my predecessors is held on routine
basis. This move to my mind is a strong vehicle we can use to favourably
influence legislation and a wide range of policies. We will also partner
renowned organizations like the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Nigerian
Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and
educational professional organizations.
As
part of this inauguration, a pre-inauguration workshop on Engineering infrastructures and
public-private partnership in Nigeria and indeed Africa was held in the last two days (January 9-10),
which was aimed at bringing forth knowledge - and practice-based
recommendations to advance the delivery of infrastructure to complement the
progress that has so far been made by the Government in Roads, Rail, Power,
Telecoms etc, and to feed strategically into the National 30-year Integrated
Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP).
There
was wide consultation, participation and synergy with all cognate national
infrastructure agencies, including the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory
Commission (ICRC), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the Bureau of Public
Enterprises (BPE), and the Infrastructure Bank Plc, as well as cognate line
Ministries. A brief summary of its outcomes are to be presented at this event
to President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federation while we carry the
message to the State Governors.
Permit
me Mr. President to formally seize the opportunity of this auspicious occasion
to announce a new initiative to establish NSE Monitoring Action Groups (NMAGs). The NSE Monitoring Action Groups will monitor
policies and programs affecting critical sectors of the nation’s economy, for the
purpose of engineering input and liaising with relevant stakeholders from
public and private sectors to ensure coordinated action for a sustainable
infrastructural development. Accordingly, two multi-sectoral action groups on
“National Infrastructure Development (NID)”, and on “Agriculture, Water
Resources and Environment (AWRE)” would be inaugurated within the first quarter
of 2014 to flag up this noble idea.
The
AWRE-NMAG, (i.e Agriculture, Water Resources and Environment - NSE Monitoring
Action Groups) for example, in collaboration with the relevant NSE Divisions
would be expected to, amongst other things, organize a census of
all abandoned, dilapidated, moribund and below-capacity running Agro-based
& Agro-allied Industries and Water Supply/Sanitation/Irrigation facilities
and fully assess what it would take to rehabilitate such systems with a
comprehensive feasibility report to guide practical intervention that can bring
back the erstwhile rural industrialization and wealth creation in the agricultural
sector.
The
NID-NMAG (i.e National Infrastructure Development - NSE Monitoring Action
Groups) on its own will undertake a comprehensive study of the present state
and future infrastructure projections for critical sectors of the national
economy, and hence identify gaps and financial needs to meet such gap. NSE
leadership would extend this concept to other equally important sectors of our
economy in due course.
On the Nigerian Content Development Law 2010, framed within the context of growth of Nigerian entrepreneurship
and the domestication of assets in line with Nigeria’s strategic developmental
goals, NSE will during my tenure push vigorously not only for its diligent
implementation, but also for the replication of the policy in all other
critical sectors of our economy.
The
scheme, which has the potential to create over 30,000 jobs in the next 5 years,
is geared to increasing the domestic share of the $18 billion annual spending
on oil and gas from 45% to 70%, in addition to enhancing the multiplier effects
on the economy, through refining and petrochemicals. The projected success/
expected outcome in this sector is awesome.
We
are convinced that our country will not grow economically if we continue to
import everything we use.
Our manufacturing industry has all it takes to produce
quality products and add more value to foreign products if government policy
provides them the enabling environment. To encourage local production and to
boost the country’s economy, there is the need for appropriate fiscal policy
review with the aim of creating market for local manufactures. There is also
need for massive national value reorientation that will encourage citizens to
patronise made-in-Nigeria goods to further advance the cause of local content.
During
this tenure, NSE will continue to work hard to consolidate on our achievements.
Our bid to demonstrate our capability is clearly seen in the collaboration of
NSE and the NigComSat Ltd. The Society has through the partnership
deployed E-voting, wholly developed by Nigerian Engineers, for the election of
officers in 2012 and 2013.
This
laudable effort of the NSE to promote Nigerian Content in key Engineering
trades and related areas, which also culminated in the establishment of the
Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, will continue to take the centre
stage of our policy. The Local Content Development Committee will be fully
supported to push our ideals to the public domain to affect policies
favourably.
Engineering Regulation Monitoring and Value for Money
The rising incidence of building collapse, not to mention roads failure, in the country has become a disturbing trend. These tragedies are mostly accompanied by mass loss of lives and properties worth billions of naira.
The rising incidence of building collapse, not to mention roads failure, in the country has become a disturbing trend. These tragedies are mostly accompanied by mass loss of lives and properties worth billions of naira.
Investigation
reveal that poor workmanship, use of cheap and inferior materials, wrong
interpretation of building design, inadequate supervision, non adherence to due
process in building construction, lack of maintenance culture, greedy attitude
of contractors, abuse of plans and the activity of quacks are some of the
reasons behind these avoidable agonies. We will partner all stakeholders to
stem this negative development.
We
will join forces with COREN on Engineering Regulation Monitoring to ensure that the relevant laws guiding the
sector are adhered to. In particular we will wrestle the
importation/infiltration of so-called “expatriate” non engineers to take up
critical engineering jobs. We shall work with the Head of Service, Chief
Executive Officers of all the International Oil Companies (IOC's), and all the
Service Companies giving a deadline by which they should submit the list of all
Engineers in their employment, with their cadre and NSE Membership Status.
We
shall vigorously defend and protect the turf of qualified engineers in all spheres
of the economy. We shall stimulate law enforcement agencies to bring offenders
to justice, draw the media into the stakeholders’ forum to play their part by
educating clients to avoid cheap services which often land them into the hands
of quacks. We shall mount pressure at levels to stem the menace, and ensure
that Nigerians get value for their money in all engineering undertakings.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption
Talking about value for money in engineering and allied infrastructures, Nigerians and Nigeria as a nation has been ripped and raped for long since after independence. It is common knowledge in project and international development circles that not up to 30% of committed funds are effectively utilized in projects in Nigeria.
Talking about value for money in engineering and allied infrastructures, Nigerians and Nigeria as a nation has been ripped and raped for long since after independence. It is common knowledge in project and international development circles that not up to 30% of committed funds are effectively utilized in projects in Nigeria.
The
heavy burden of corruption is self defeating, counterproductive, killing
Nigerians (bad roads and collapsed buildings), killing initiatives,
discouraging foreign direct investment, and overall destroying and regressing
an otherwise vibrant and progressive economy.
NSE
will do all possible to stop the use of engineering for looting of the National
treasury by Nigerians and their foreign collaborators.
Welfare of Engineers
Closely related to the issue of service delivery, relevance to national development through collaboration and synergy with Government and all other stakeholders is the issue of benefit to members of our great society.
Closely related to the issue of service delivery, relevance to national development through collaboration and synergy with Government and all other stakeholders is the issue of benefit to members of our great society.
We
intend, by our active and visible engagement, to widen opportunities for
greater engineering participation, and hence greater opportunities for our
members, especially young engineering graduates. My heart bleeds, when I see
young graduate engineers remaining jobless for years in a country where there
is considerable infrastructure inadequacy.
I
desire to remain in the subconscious of our Members even after my tenure as NSE
President. In this regard, the NSE under my leadership will push vigorously for
the welfare of our colleagues serving in both public and private sectors of the
economy.
The
issue of commensurate remuneration and the routine review of same for our
hardworking Engineers will feature prominently on the front burner and I will
see to it that they are logically tackled. I will re-engineer our advocacy to
government to consider the Nigerian professional first, in job placement or
contracts award in the efforts to tackle our development and build sustainable
capacity. On this issue, I pledge my word to be my bond.
For us in this new dawn; we owe ourselves the duty to
join hands to the best to uplift the NSE to be strong enough to impact
positively on its Membership and our Nation in general. The issue of assisting
our Engineers on the pressing need of befitting shelter will be fully tackled.
I shall reach out to the appropriate authorities to actualize the
Engineers Mass Housing Scheme which was initiated by my predecessors.
We
shall focus on affordable and quality mass housing for engineers nationwide,
and towards this, we shall fully mobilize through the forum ’’Engineers in Housing Development’’ to impact the country at large.
Promotion of Excellence and Service Delivery through
Technology Advancement Initiatives
In
the words of my predecessor, Engr Balarabe Shehu, FNSE, “while we are very
ready to use the big stick on any member that falls below the professional
standard, we will promote initiatives that would reward excellence in
engineering practice and innovation”. We shall show case life-changing
engineering achievements by reviving the technology advancement initiative,
which includes, design competitions, exhibitions, industry-supported fairs,
etc. The goal is to re-energize the creativity and innovative restlessness of
the youths, whose interest in engineering must be sustained, in the quest of
our technological emancipation. This will be a major action point of the
tenure.
Membership Admission Through Matured Route
The NSE will continue the drive to admit Matured Engineers as members through consideration of experience over a period of time.
The NSE will continue the drive to admit Matured Engineers as members through consideration of experience over a period of time.
International Activities
I
am elated to inform this august gathering that we have continuously taken
active part in international affairs and demonstrated dynamism in the
activities of our regional, sub-regional and global bodies. We have used these
platforms to promote friendship and boost our technological learning.
Under
my leadership, we shall maintain the confidence that our colleagues at the
regional level have reposed in us by granting us the privilege to host the
Secretariat of the Federation of African Engineering Organizations (FAEO) as
well as the Presidency 2014 through 2015.
The
big event, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) summit
(WECSI 2014) in Abuja later this year is also another exercise of pride to us
and our nation as a whole.
It is no mean feat to be granted the hosting right for this global engineering conclave. We are assured of the support of the Nigerian Government and peoples in contributing towards a successful hosting of engineers from all over the world for WECSI 2014.
It is no mean feat to be granted the hosting right for this global engineering conclave. We are assured of the support of the Nigerian Government and peoples in contributing towards a successful hosting of engineers from all over the world for WECSI 2014.
There
are about 18 countries in Africa who are yet to establish their professional
bodies, the WFEO has expressed concern about this and is looking unto us to
galvanize these nations.
Therefore,
under my leadership, we will also focus on the activities of FAEO and assist in
bringing these other countries on board within a very short time.
Capacity Building
I
must here commend the ingenuity of my predecessors who were inspired to
establish and equip our world class center of excellence, the Engineering Practice And Resource
Development, (EPRD) which is a Strategic International
Engineering Capacity Development Institution formed by NSE in partnership with
International Energy Services Limited (IESL) an Oil & Gas, Engineering and
Manpower Development company with the purpose of developing engineering
capacity and skills in the country.
As an academician, I have come to appreciate how
achievements can be made through intense research work, hence I shall throw my
weight behind the Governing Board of our much cherished EPRD to successfully
galvanize the latest materials required for capacity building for our
professional colleagues to strengthen their skills. We shall prioritize
continuous professional development. So much has been said about solutions to
the lack of infrastructure which is a direct task of our engineers. I believe
this process can be enhanced through the development of the appropriate skills.
NSE – TAD
It will be recalled that the NSE on January 28, 2013, instituted a Governing Council for the NSE-TAD (Nigerian Society of Engineers Taming African Deserts) and saddled it with the responsibility of reclaiming territories under the threat of desertification. The Council which will operate through Boards has been specifically mandated to deploy modern technology to turn the Sahara desert to a green land of abundant opportunities for Nigerians and other Africans living in the area.
NSE-TAD is a fallout of relationship between the NSE
and Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) which started in 2011 at the
National Conference of the NSE held in Tinapa Resort, Calabar, in
Cross River State. At that event, Dr. Newton Jibunoh, OON, founder of FADE
made a presentation on the project of bridging and greening of the Sahara desert.
We will do our best on this project for the purpose of positively impacting the
economic and social lives of the people around the corridors of the desert
region and the entire African continent in general.
Divisions and Branches
As
you may be aware, the Nigerian Society of Engineers is managed in structure
through its 19 Divisions and 59 Branches. The Divisions are based on
professional specializations while the Branches are spread in geographical
locations across the country.
I
shall support our Divisions who have been very proactive to further explore the
EPRD to make indelible land marks in order to further proof that they are our
true engines of professional growth. I shall support the Divisions to
continually evolve programmes geared towards knowledge enrichment for us not
only to keep pace of trends but become global leaders in engineering feats.
Divisions
would be mandated to submit at least two incisive papers emanating from their
national conference for publishing in the NSE Technical Transaction Journal.
As
for Branches, it is gladdening that our Branch network has continued to grow.
We now have a total of 59 Branches. The joy here is the fact that, they are
doing pretty fine, however, I am aware that there are challenges that are
slowing others. I shall work closely with all our Branches on strategies to
surmount their challenges.
Also
during my tenure, I will continually encourage our Branches to promote
Community Engineering. This is one unique platform we would effectively exploit
in order to reach out to the grass roots.
The National Engineering Games (NEGG)
Distinguished colleagues you will agree with me that, the National Engineering Games (NEGG) which debuted in 2011 with subsequent editions in 2012 and 2013 has turned into a mega sporting event. It is indisputable that this is attracting enthusiasts across the country and beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Distinguished colleagues you will agree with me that, the National Engineering Games (NEGG) which debuted in 2011 with subsequent editions in 2012 and 2013 has turned into a mega sporting event. It is indisputable that this is attracting enthusiasts across the country and beyond the shores of Nigeria.
NEGG
was approved by the leadership of the Society to provide an avenue for the
ever-busy engineers to come together and engage in exercises in order
to keep fit, promote oneness of the engineering family and enlarge our
visibility and network. I hereby charge Branches to fully take part in this
annual fiesta for us to benefit from the purpose of its institution.
Young Engineers Development Forum
Our Young Engineers occupy a special position as far as our future is concerned. We shall leave no stone unturned to support initiatives geared towards mentoring and nurturing Young Engineers to be fully prepared for the legacy of excellence we are going to bequeath to them.
Our Young Engineers occupy a special position as far as our future is concerned. We shall leave no stone unturned to support initiatives geared towards mentoring and nurturing Young Engineers to be fully prepared for the legacy of excellence we are going to bequeath to them.
The NSE Job Bureau must function optimally, create and identify
opportunities to help our Young Engineers to either explore entrepreneurship or
find suitable placement in organizations where they can continue to improve
their skills, excel and earn decent living befitting qualified professionals.
Our
Students will be encouraged to continue their competitions and participation in
international events as a way of providing them the opportunity for networking
with their peers in other parts of the world and to impact national
development.
With the help of our colleagues in the academia, we
will join forces with COREN to tackle the persistent cases of closure of
Engineering Faculties on account of non-accreditation. The closure of such
Faculties, in addition to its embarrassment to us, is a set back to the
development of engineering, hence all hands must be on deck to ensure the laid
down rules are complied with from the onset to avoid discontinuity of
programmes. Very importantly, my Presidency will improvise a means by which we
will work with the appropriate stakeholders in order to create a link between
the Engineering Faculties of our citadels of learning and the industry as well
as other stakeholders.
NSE
will intensify Periodic
Official Visitation to Higher Institutions of
Learning. We will also form strategic partnerships with, JETS Clubs in Secondary
Schools, Training Institutes, Technical/Trade and Craft Colleges to promote and
encourage the best technology oriented students to pursue careers as Engineers.
NSE Facilities
I congratulate my amiable predecessors whom God endowed with the wisdom to lead us well and to prioritize the development of our befitting facilities. We will ensure a speedy completion of the NEC Abuja Phase II building and ensure effective maintenance of same. We will continue to maintain and manage the
National Engineering Center, Lagos. We shall explore Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives to build all other outstanding projects, and demonstrate appropriate best practice.
I congratulate my amiable predecessors whom God endowed with the wisdom to lead us well and to prioritize the development of our befitting facilities. We will ensure a speedy completion of the NEC Abuja Phase II building and ensure effective maintenance of same. We will continue to maintain and manage the
National Engineering Center, Lagos. We shall explore Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives to build all other outstanding projects, and demonstrate appropriate best practice.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The
NSE under my leadership will strive to give back to Society in form of social
service to our people. For instance, we shall partner with FRSC on the
promotion of Road Safety and safe road use. It is my intention to put in place
Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility projects. In this regard, we shall
form a body to be known as NSE Volunteer Engineers for intervention in Road Rehabilitation,
Emergencies, Natural Disasters among others.
The Secretariat
The Secretariat is central to our optimal performance being our ‘situation office’ where we execute our daily operations. I will support the Executive Secretary to deliver effectively on his mandate. We shall make the working condition conducive and improve on our IT driven operations.
The Secretariat is central to our optimal performance being our ‘situation office’ where we execute our daily operations. I will support the Executive Secretary to deliver effectively on his mandate. We shall make the working condition conducive and improve on our IT driven operations.
We
shall encourage our hardworking Staff and prioritize their capacity building,
without failing to wield the big stick on those found to have contravened laid
down rules as well as enforce strict adherence to work ethics and standards for
sustainable productivity.
A National Engineering Strategic Plan
The
critical issues that have been unfolded in this speech have resulted from a
major review of the journey of th
e
NSE so far since inception, vis-Ã -vis the fluctuating trajectory of our
national development. Working through various sub committees, we have
identified some strategic goals/objectives, and matching set of activities,
resulting in a strategy map which forms the kernel of our strategic plan for
the NSE.
The
essence of the plan, which was thoroughly discussed and ‘bought-into’ yesterday
at the pre-inauguration workshop by our membership, is to reposition/rebrand
the Society for greater relevance in instigating an innovative and value-driven
production economy, impacting on national development policy and economic
growth, and engendering better and rewarding service delivery by members. In
other words, our engineering practice must resonate with the lives and
livelihood of ordinary Nigerians who daily yearn for the good life. The Plan
will be published for mass circulation.
My
pledge is to provide the leadership that will drive and sustain this initiative
until we achieve the desired success. I call on all engineers, our revered Past
Presidents, Fellows, all Branches and Divisions, young engineers, other
professional bodies, captains of industry, all men and women of goodwill, and
fellow Nigerians to support this NSE initiative towards achieving our national
vision.
Appreciation
I wholeheartedly thank each and everyone here that has contributed to the success of this day. I must acknowledge the selfless contribution of all members of the Presidential Investiture Planning Committee, as well as members of the “DEMO Strategic Committee”. They are the architects of the day, and I thank them all.
I wholeheartedly thank each and everyone here that has contributed to the success of this day. I must acknowledge the selfless contribution of all members of the Presidential Investiture Planning Committee, as well as members of the “DEMO Strategic Committee”. They are the architects of the day, and I thank them all.
I
thank Mr. President for agreeing to be part of this event. I thank HE, Dr.
Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, who inspired me from St Joseph College, Ondo, mentored
me at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and made me a Commissioner for
Agriculture in his Government in Ondo State until February 2013, and now
Special Adviser on Agriculture, thereby preparing me for this new challenge.
Mr. Governor is here with a large delegation from his Cabinet and the State at
large. I thank them all.
Before
my Governor took me back home, I was a ‘Lagos Boy’, rising to the position of a
Chief Lecturer at the Lagos State Polytechnic. So I owe my conscious
development to Lagos, hence, I am very appreciative of Lagos State Government
and HE Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. I remember in a special way my
Mentor and Father in the NSE – Late Engr. Ralph Adeola Alabi, FNSE. May his
soul rest in peace. There are so many other Dignitaries, for whom I doff my hat
of appreciation.
I
thank my dear Wife; Omotolani and Children; Adeteniola, Adegboyega (Mr.
President Christ Redeemer College, Shagamu, Ogun State), Aderinsola and
Adewonuola for their unalloyed support in my pursuit of excellence
in academics, my profession and in service to our fatherland. To the Olorunfemi,
Akinyemi, Eketunde and Anibaba Families, I say A BIG THANK YOU and a very
special one to my Dad and Mum, Pa (Prince) & Mrs. Ezekiel Abiodun
Olorunfemi who for reasons of old age could not be here physically.
Most importantly, I appreciate our God almighty because the Psalmist says: “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night,” — Psalm 92:1-2
‘I wish you all journey mercy to your various destinations. God bless you all richly. Happy and Prosperous 2014.
Engr. Ademola Isaac Olorunfemi, FNSE
President/Chairman-In-Council Nigerian Society of Engineers
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