The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has tasked fellows to uphold professional and ethical standards and prevent infiltration of the profession by quacks.
The president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Oguntala gave the charge at the fellowship conferment of 211 engineers yesterday in Abuja.
She said their elevation to the noble fellowship 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 charged the fellows to 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.
The president reiterated that the fellows have a unique responsibility to exemplify values and to serve as guardians of professional standards.
She stressed the need to strengthen the engineering community against infiltration.
She said there were clear and present challenges facing the engineering sector in Nigeria, such as “quackery, sharp practices and infrastructure failures which, if unattended, have the capacity to tarnish our profession’s reputation”.
She added that the issues were of deep concern to the Nigerian Society of Engineers because of their interwoven nature to the well-being and safety of the 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,” she said.
She added, “As a community, we must remain vigilant in ensuring that our standards are met and that only qualified, registered Engineers represent our field,”.
She reiterated “Together, let us build an engineering community that is characterised by true professionalism, integrity and unparalleled excellence”.
The Special Guest of Honour Engr. Victor Bandele said today’s challenges demand innovative and forward-looking solutions.
He charged the fellows to focus on solutions that impact future generations.
Bandele, the deputy managing director of Deep Water Asset, Total Energies EP Nigeria Ltd, said Total Energies’ 540 filling stations across the country have been equipped with solar panels.
