NSE Confers Fellowship on 211 Engineers, Warns against Unethical Practices

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) yesterday conferred its fellowship on 211 engineers, warnings them against any behaviour that will bring disrepute to the profession.
Speaking at the event which held in Abuja, President of the NSE, Margaret Oguntala, noted that the ceremony was an acknowledgement of the exceptional contributions of the conferees to the engineering field.
She explains that it also marks not only a personal achievement for each of the fellows, but a significant milestone in the advancement of engineering excellence in the country.
Oguntala reminded the beneficiaries that the elevation was an added responsibility on them to discharge their reinforced roles as the emissaries and purveyors of ethical leadership and integrity in the industry.
She emphasised that at this stage in their careers, they cannot afford to falter on matters of ethics, stressing that they have the responsibility to double their commitment to upholding the high standards that guide the practice of the profession.
“As you go forth into the field, you must continue to endorse and defend the key elements of ethical practice in engineering which include prioritising safety & health, integrity and honesty, environmental sustainability, respect for intellectual property, as well as compliance with regulations.
“I assure you that when we conform to both professional and ethical standards in the practice of engineering, we would not only prevent harm to the people, we would further secure the trust of the public, and ensure sustainable advancement for our dear country,” she said.
As fellows and leaders within the NSE, she stated that they have a unique task to exemplify NSE’s values and to serve as guardians of  professional standards in the country and abroad.
She listed quackery, sharp practices and infrastructure failures as challenges facing the profession which, if unattended, have the capacity to tarnish our profession’s reputation.
“These issues are of deep concern to the NSE because of their interwoven nature to the wellbeing and safety of our people. The time has come for us, as Nigerian engineers, to take a stand and claim our rightful place in the nation’s development.
“This is a call to action and a declaration that the NSE can no longer sit idly while our industry suffers from infiltration and misconduct perpetrated by quacks,” Oguntala, who doubles as Chairman-in-Council of the NSE stated.

Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour, Victor Bandele, a fellow of the NSE and Deputy Managing Director of Deepwater Asset, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, Limited, highlighted the need to protect the planet.

He stated that while the Nigerian government has set 2060 as its year to meet the NetZero target, the company has fixed 2050 for its own, given the importance of the climate challenge.

Noting that Nigeria’s population has more than 70 per cent of young people, he explained that there was need to harness the energies of these young people.