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NSE calls for implementation of GL.9 entry point for engineers
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has called on the government to implement the Grade Level 9 entry point for Engineers in states that have not effected it.
The First Female President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Mrs Margaret Oguntala, made the call during her investiture as the 34th President of the engineering professional body on Saturday in Abuja.
She also called for a policy formulation that would compel employers of labour to pay commensurate welfare packages/hazard allowances to engineers.
Oguntala said these advocacies would be key among her focus in the next two years as the president of NSE.
According to her, setting clear focus areas is paramount to guiding the collective efforts to accomplish her vision.
Oguntala unveiled her strategic agenda which she said would underpin her mission, a roadmap that she named the “Margaret Oguntala Presidential Agenda, or MOPSA.
“MOPSA is not just a collection of words, it is a manifestation of our overarching vision, ‘Rebirth the NSE for the Growth, Empowerment and Advancement of Engineering in Nigeria’.
“”It is a meticulously crafted blueprint that encompasses five key themes, each designed to address crucial aspects of our mission. The MOPSA document consists of 1 strategic agenda, 5 strategic themes (pillar) and 34 Strategic Actions.
“The first pillar is membership development, we shall focus on upskilling our esteemed members, offering mandatory professional development to keep at the forefront of knowledge.
“”NSE shall actively engage intergovernmental bodies, industries and academia to foster partnerships that drive progress, innovation and knowledge exchange.
“We shall collaborate with leading international engineering organisations and foreign missions to gain access to resources and opportunities for our members.”
The president of the NSE said advancement of innovation through the establishment of new technology-driven engineering innovation hubs would also be a key priority during her tenure among other priorities.
Oguntala therefore called for the support of all engineers to achieve the Growth Empowerment and Advancement of Engineering roadmap.
On his part, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, in his Keynote address, themed ‘Rebirthing the Nigeria Society of Engineering for Growth, Empowerment and Advancement of Engineering’, said Oguntala had shattered the glass ceiling.
He was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jubril.
“We celebrate the progress our society has made in promoting gender equality and inclusivity in the field of engineering. Engr. Oguntala’s appointment serves as a powerful testament to the fact that talent, dedication and expertise know no gender boundaries.
“It is a clear indication that the Nigerian Society of Engineers recognises and values the invaluable contributions of women in shaping the future of engineering. 33 men have come before her, serving as presidents of this great body.
“However, the time has come for the NSE to enter the labour room and give birth to a new version of itself. And it is only fitting that a mother, who knows the pains of giving birth, should be in charge of this rebirth.
“As we embark on this new chapter under the leadership of Engr. Oguntala, it is crucial that we reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
“However, it is through collective efforts and a shared vision that we can overcome these challenges and pave the way for a brighter future.”
Akpabio said enhancement of engineering education and training is key to the rebirth and needs an immediate attention.
“We must strive to equip our engineers with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete on a global scale. This can be achieved through partnerships with educational institutions, industry leaders, and professional organizations.
“By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, we can ensure that our engineers are armed with the latest tools and techniques to tackle complex engineering problems.
“As engineers, it is our responsibility to design and implement sustainable solutions that will drive economic growth, improve the quality of life for our citizens, and create an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Our engineers are breaking new grounds and leading the way in technological innovation.
“The NSE should reach out to Nigerian engineers in the diaspora and urge them to respond to the call in our National Anthem, let them come home and share their skills with us and contribute their unique perspectives and experiences.”
He said under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the 10th national assembly are committed to supporting the NSE in giving Nigeria a prominent place in the engineering community.
Speaking in his welcome address at the occasion, the immediate past president of NSE, Mr Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, said Oguntala was instrumental to most of the successes during his tenure.
Gidari-Wudil pledged his unconditional support for the first female president and urged all engineers to give her their maximum support.
The highlight of the occasion was the taking of the oath of office by Oguntala and this was coordinated by Gidari-Wudil.
In attendance were the governors of Oyo, Ogun and Ondo states. Also, royal fathers and other international dignitaries among which is the President of the World Federation of Engineers, and captains of industried.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says he founded Radio Biafra to “promote truth, peace, and the fight for fundamental human rights”.
Kanu made the remarks in a video recording of his interrogation by the Department of State Services (DSS), which was played in open court on Tuesday during his trial for alleged terrorism and treasonable felony.
Kanu was re-arraigned on March 21 before James Omotosho, judge of a federal high court in Abuja.
At the resumed session on Tuesday, Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecution counsel, told the court that he filed an ex parte application dated April 10 seeking to protect the identities of the witnesses.
“The essence is for the safety and security of state officers who would be part of the witnesses,” he said.
Omotsho granted the application after Kanu Agabi, counsel to the defendant, said he had no objection.
The first prosecution witness, who was codenamed “AAA” to protect his identity, was then called.
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AAA, a DSS staff, said he was part of the team which arrested Kanu on October 15, 2015, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos.
The witness said Kanu was arrested and several items, including broadcasting devices which were set up in the room, were confiscated.
In the footage, Kanu admitted to setting up the radio station, which he said was registered with the UK government.
He said it was “illegal” to broadcast in Nigeria since he had not registered with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Kanu also admitted that the radio was funded by supporters from different parts of the world and that he makes his account public to the UK government.
In another statement made by the separatist leader and read in court, Kanu said he was interrogated by the DSS “without legal representation” as required by law.
All exhibits were tendered through the witness and admitted into evidence.
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has condemned the arrest of businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Achimugu was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Her lawyer, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, who confirmed her arrest said , “Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
‘In light of what transpired in court on Monday, my client returned based on the undertaking before the court to honour the EFCC’s invitation, but was arrested at the airport.”
Ojukwu criticised the EFCC’s action, describing it as a violation of a court order.
Reacting, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike described the arrest as an affront on the judiciary.
Okwu said it was strange that someone who returned to the country in line with her own averments before the court could be whisked away in such a manner.
He stressed that, “we had thought that the EFCC has stopped such action but this manner of arrest speaks volumes.
“From every record available, Aisha Achimugu filed an affidavit in court to voluntarily report to the EFCC today, Tuesday, then appear in court tomorrow, Wednesday.
“It is then strange that having returned to the country on her own volition, the EFCC had to swoop on her at the airport despite the subsisting court order.
“This confirms our earlier fears that her trial is political and is totally unfortunate.
“We urge the EFCC to respect the sanctity of the rule of law by releasing her.”
Okwu urged the commission to resist the temptation of being used by politicians to fight perceived political enemies.
A total of 92 visually impaired candidates participated in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) at the Kano centre.
Prof. Muhammad Yahuza-Bello, JAMB Coordinator for the Kano centre, made the announcement while monitoring the exercise on Monday.
The examination took place at the School of Continuing Education, Bayero University Kano (BUK), under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) initiative for candidates with special needs.
Yahuza-Bello, a former vice-chancellor of BUK, explained that the 92 candidates were drawn from Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna States.
He added that among the candidates, two had Down syndrome, while two others had autism.
The candidates, both male and female, were provided with specialized gadgets such as typewriters, braille machines, slates, styluses, and paper to facilitate their participation in the exams.
The coordinator also said over 500 candidates with special needs-ranging from visual impairments and albinism to Down syndrome and autism-had registered to take the exam at 11 centres across the country.
He said, unlike regular Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres where candidates interact with screens and keyboards, special needs candidates benefit from adaptive materials to eliminate barriers to education.
Since its introduction in 2017, JEOG has seen positive results, with an increasing number of special needs candidates gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
Yahuza-Bello pointed out that while approximately 25% of regular candidates gain admission, over 33% of special needs candidates are successful in securing placements.
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