Former registrar, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Dr. Felix Atume, has urged the federal government to encourage Nigerian engineers in the development of the country.
Atume gave the charge during the 2024 annual memorial lecture series in honour of Late Engr. Joseph Makoju organized by the Federal University Lokoja in collaboration with Engineer Makoju Foundation held at Adankolo campus of the university, titled “The challenges of Infrastructure development in Nigeria – The need for adequate Engineering capacity”
The COREN former Registrar said no nation can effectively achieve the desired development without the commitment and contribution of ingenious engineer through the use of local contents.
He pointed out that the development of adequate Engineering capacity in any country also depends largely on the political will of the government especially the willingness to challenge the citizenry with tasks which they never attempted before.
According to him, the over dependent on foreign engineering companies can not effectively develop the nation, saying the indigenous engineering companies should be encouraged to showcase their skills.
“A situation where Nigerian engineers and other professionals are spectators while foreigners carry out the development of infrastructure facilities portend great danger of unemployment, restive youths, violence and insecurity in the society.
“It is a known fact that Engineering capacity requires sound theoretical knowledge with actual exposure on the job. It is time Nigeria government make efforts to utilise it’s human and material resources for development” he added.
Dr. Atume said the proposed reform in the transportation sector has the potential to stimulate the economy of the country in many ways especially employment opportunities, the building of a robust indigenous engineering capacity and envisaged enhancement of the quality of service to be delivered.
He therefore stressed the need for a paradigm shift to involve the private sector in the provision of infrastructure through the Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, commended the families and relations of the late Engr. Makoju for attending the second memorial lecture.
He said the purpose of the memorial lecture was not only for remembrance but to re-energize the engineering sector for nation building.
In her remarks, Mrs. Gladys Makoju, the wife of late Engr. Makoju appreciated the guest lecturer for the good research work on infrastructure development of the country, promising to build a lecture theatre hall and scholarship for engineering students in the University.
