The need for Nigerian engineers to improve on making the planet a better place through engineering better healthcare, new materials, exploring alternative energy sources among others, to the well-being of the individual, society and the fight for survival has been underscored.
This was highlighted at the 2021 World Engineering Day organized by Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Abeokuta Branch, held in conjunction with the Ogun State government at the State Secretariat, Oke-mosan, Abeokuta.
The week-long event focused on dissecting the theme: ”Engineering for a healthy planet”.
While heaping praises on NSE Abeokuta for calling the attention of the State government to issues that matter, the Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun represented by the SSG promised to create an enabling environment for professionals to thrive.
“The theme of this symposium; Engineering for a healthy planet could not have been more apt at this time. One can not but be glad to be identified with the noble ideals of the NSE as a professional body.”
“Personally, I have always been an ardent believer in the abilities of the Nigerian professionals. I also hold the belief that given the opportunity, motivation and the material resources, Nigerian professionals can prove their and match up with the very best in the world.”
“We will continue to collaborate, corporate and inspire with our professionals and provide them with the requisite policies to practice and contribute their quotas to the continued development of our dear state.”
In his discussion centered on Forest Conservation for Healthy Planet, the state commissioner for forestry, Eng. Tunji Akinosi says despite growing efforts to protect the forests, they continue to decline under the pressure of human population growth and competing needs for land. He however hinted that the state government has partnered with an NGO to promote forest conservation with over 50,000 hectares of land reserved for the purpose.
Eng. Gbenga Dairo who is the commissioner for transportation in Ogun state in his presentation, “Sustainable transport system in Ogun state” says development of transport infrastructure shouldn’t be left in the hands of the private or public sector alone, calling on stakeholders and technical experts to collaborate in creating innovative strategies to advance the transport system in the gateway state.
While discussing “Future Engineers to Ensure Healthy planet”, the Rector, Ogun State institute of technology, Eng. Mrs. Olufunke Akinkurolere urged government and relevant stakeholders to focus on technical education. According to her, “for any nation to develop optimally, technical education must be taken seriously. She advocated “catch-them-young” programmes among secondary school students in discovering future innovators.
Corroborating her, the Chairman NSE, Abeokuta, Eng. Kolawole Olonade decried the low number of engineering graduates produced across the country on yearly basis.
Acknowledging that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a key factor in the growth and development of a nation as it contributes significantly to the economic, social and environmental development of a country which leads to sustainable development, the branch chairman recommends better remuneration for practising engineers as well as appropriate government policy.
The delegation of the state government thereafter inspected innovations made by secondary school students across the state.
The World Engineering Day is a day celebrated all over the world. The United Nations declared March 4 as celebration day for World Engineering Day and the theme for the year all over the world is Engineering for a healthy planet.
NSE Abeokuta had joined the rest of the world by celebrating the day with the symposium where various sectors by which Engineers can make planet healthy are looked into.
This is also coincidental as part of the 1 week Engineering Week Celebration of the Nigerian Society of Engineers
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