Nigeria’s Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola has inaugurated a 9-member Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN.
Fashola urged them to ensure the ethics guiding the Engineering profession are upheld.
The Minister reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Government to the development of infrastructure.
He said; “As you are all aware our government has committed to infrastructure and as you all know infrastructure brings development to the country, it boosts our economy, creates employment and enables the nation to compete for continental and global space.”
Fashola noted that members of the Engineering profession have been and would continue to play a significant role in this regard, stressing that there was need for COREN to ensure professionalism at its peak.
He further urged them to uphold the moral and ethical standards of the profession.
“True professionals always do the right thing no matter the situation and will not compromise standards in the face of pressure” the Minister added.
One of the Council members and immediate past President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr. Babagana Mohammed said the new Council members were coming with a lot of experience and dedication to protecting the ethics and standards of the Engineering profession.
Mohammed said; “We are going to emphasize the dos and don’ts because so many things are happening.
“Some people do not understand the regulations, so we need to make people understand and obey the regulations.”
Similarly, another member, Professor Zekeni Yelebe who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the Council members praised the infrastructure drive of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration, they would ensure standards are upheld in the Engineering profession.
He said; “We can see that this government is serious in terms of infrastructure development and as a Council, we will make sure that engineering activities especially infrastructure development are done with all engineering ethics.
“The Council will also look at the curriculum of institutions offering Engineering courses to see if there is a need for changes or improvements to be made.”
Mr. Yelebe further disclosed that accreditation issues would also be appraised to ensure that the products of the Engineering Institutions can compete with their counterparts in any part of the world.
The newly inaugurated Council Members are; Dr. Muhammed Jibrin, representing North West, Dr. Idiat Arogundade, representing the North Central, Professor Baba Shehu Waziri, representing the North East, Professor Zekeni Yelebe, representing the South-South, and Professor Gabriel Shonaike, representing the South West.
Others are: Babajide Ojedele representing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ademola Olurunfemi also representing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Tasiu Wudil and Babagana Mohammed both representing the Nigeria Society of Engineers.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
