TheHILL | NEWS | JULY 29, 2021.
The Ibom 2021 Engineering Conference and Groundbreaking Ceremony of the National Engineering Centre Annex has been declared open in Uyo, with a call for greater participation of professional engineers in the ongoing industrialization and development strides in Akwa Ibom State.
The call came from the immediate past Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil Subsidiary Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Udom Inoyo, while delivering his keynote address during the opening ceremony of the 2021 Engineering Conference of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Uyo Branch. Held at Ibom Hall, Uyo, the Conference had the theme “Sustainable Infrastructure and Industrial Development in Akwa Ibom State: The Critical Role of Engineers”.
Mr. Udom Inoyo extolled the brilliant accomplishments of Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration particularly in aspects of industrialization and infrastructure development and charged professional engineers, especially those of Akwa Ibom extraction, to get significantly involved and ensure they play crucial roles in the ongoing development revolution in the state.
“Truth be told, particularly given the country’s current difficult circumstances, it takes an audacious mind to dream big, and drive the execution of life-changing programs. Herein lies the accomplishments of Governor Udom Emmanuel. With a plunge in crude price – twice within the 6-year period of his regime, two recessions, and a devastating COVID-19 pandemic, this governor has been able to forge ahead with projects that will not only unleash the economic potentials of the state but will create an oasis out of a region of despondency. But what does it take for you to play a crucial role in this development space?
“In answering this question, we must seek refuge in one of the mission statements of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, which is the commitment to collaborate with, influence, and provide quality advice to the various arms of Government, Industry, Commerce, Academia, and the Society at large, to uplift the country. Given that this is so broad in scope, it also implies that the footprints of your members should be evident across the landscape. If it is not, then you must honestly interrogate the factors holding you back”.
Inoyo, a former National President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria who currently serves as Advisor, Inoyo Toro Foundation, noted that the situation of quackery in the engineering profesion has become worse in Nigeria as even those who should know better still patronize unqualified persons and assign them tasks that should be restricted only to competent professional engineers.
He berated the antithetical situation where even the non-engineers contracted to execute engineering jobs would have to graciously extend a role or two to the professional engineers, just to ensure appropriate sign-offs are obtained.
While advocating for greater participation of professional engineers in the infrastructure development of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Inoyo charged the college of engineers at the Conference to always uphold the flag of professionalism whenever an opportunity for service comes calling, adding that it is professionalism that would stand them out at such opportunities and win them more opportunities in the future.
In his words, “But taking your rightful place is not going to be through the lobbying process, as has been the practice for decades. Neither would the threat of enforcement through the law courts ensure a robust success. You need to do some soul searching, ensure professionalism in all your offerings so that your work speaks for you. It is called differentiation! You need to walk the talk when it comes to the cardinal objectives of promoting and enforcing high standards in performance and professional ethics among your members. You need to impact society positively so that your offerings are roundly appreciated. The era of failed roads, collapsed buildings, incomplete and or abandoned projects, unjustifiable cost variations, etc. must go away, and those members who act otherwise need to be publicly sanctioned.
“Additionally, you need to have conversations that would:
1. Guide the government on what types of infrastructure to provide, location, standards and specifications, budgets, and execution duration;
2. Encourage innovation to promote economic growth, generating employment and income for our people;
3. Exploit the numerous opportunities in biotechnology, renewable energy, blockchain technology, agricultural tools/agricultural mechanization, information communication technology, etc;
4. Continue to partner with our tertiary institutions to improve the standards of engineering/science education, and ensure that the curriculum is particularly tailored towards the needs of Akwa Ibom state; and
5. Promote projects with greener footprints and advocate for the execution of the same using the most environmentally responsible approaches”.
Mr. Inoyo particularly inspired the students wing of NSE using anecdotes from his life experience while serving in ExxonMobil, a leading engineering-based hydrocarbon exploration and production Company with massive footprints in Nigeria, and charged the aspiring engineers to hold dear to their hearts the time-tested principles of hard work, discipline and integrity.
He concluded his keynote message by calling on all progress-minded sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom to be a part of the development efforts in the state and expressed his willingness to continue to contribute towards providing development solutions to Akwa Ibom State.
”As the industrialization efforts continue, there is a role for each of us, and my prayer is that we can see beyond any despair and play our part devotedly for tomorrow’s joy. Those who know me well will attest that I have always strived to be part of a solution wherever I find myself; focusing on matters that uplift rather than degrade, building capacity instead of stifling growth, and creating wealth instead of wallowing in consumption. Akwa Ibom state is poised for greatness, and you must be part of that journey”.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, FNSE while declaring the conference open, spoke on plans to involve more indigenous engineers in the industrialization projects and programmes of the Akwa Ibom State Government.
He also revealed the plans of the Government to completely domesticate provisions of the Nigerian Local Content Law which he said would profit lots of engineers in the state and ended with the punchline: Every society needs engineers because engineers are the architect of human civilization.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Uyo Branch, Engr. Ukeme Okpob congratulated the leadership and membership of the NSE and celebrated the contributions of external stakeholders towards the development of the engineering profession.
Other dignitaries in attendance at the conference included Engr. Babagana Mohamed, FNSE, President, Nigeria Society of Engineers; Engr. Prof. Linus Asuquo, Director General, National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos; Prof. Charles Uko, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo; Prof. Eno Ibanga; Mr. Akan Okon, Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport; Engr. Prof. Folarin Alonge; Prof. Mayen Adetiba; Engr. Edo Etuk; Engr. Uwem Akpan, and a host of others.
The opening ceremony culminated in the performance of a groundbreaking event at the site of the National Engineering Centre Annex/Branch Secretariat at Atan Offot, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
