By Gloria Akudoro, Abuja
58 Engineers have received the prestigious honour of being conferred as the 20th follows of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) on Friday 22nd July, 2022 as part of its commitment to the development of the nation.
Speaking at the Fellowship Conferment Lecture and Ceremony, the President/Chairman-in-Council, NSE, Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gidar-Wudil said the Council approved the confirmation of members who have demonstrated evidence in their Engineering disciplines in contributing to the development of the country and are found worthy.
As a society with great value for professionalism, the Engr. Gidar-Wudil stressed that the significance is to encourage its members to strive hard to contribute to the development of the larger Nigerian society.
He said, as ambassadors of the prestigious society, they are expected to be available whenever called upon to impact their knowledge to the development and mentality of their engineers.
He noted that the task comes with great budden as they get to pay much more than other members as their annual dues.
Engr. Gidar-Wudil who believes greatly on successorship and mentorship enumerated ways the society has been impacting the growth of the country, said he has made it a sacred vow to continue with the execution of corporate social responsibilities his predecessors commenced.
According to him, NSE is involved in community social development to handle issues of infrastructure, and also Educational Vocational Training to ensure engineers and other cadres of engineering are developed with the required skills.
“It is in this regard that the Nigerian Society of Engineers has planned to create an Engineering Centre at the headquarters to become a smart hub for the acquisition of various skills and develop engineering skills as well. Encouraged other chapters of the society to do the same.
“We are also collaborating with government and universities to achieve industrial academia synergy to impact greatly on students by different fields of experienced engineers.
“To create an enabling environment for Engineers to do great exploits, develop their ideas and be able to produce and get the assistance needed to commercialise their products,” he noted.
Engr. Gidar-Wudil has however urged Nigerian youths to focus more on theories, learn the skills to create and contribute to economy development of the nation rather than dedicating the limited time watching movies.
In his speech, the Guest Lecturer, Skills Development Expert, Skills Initiative for African (SIFA) and World Bank TVET Consultant, Dr. George Afeti, said it’s important for African nations to work towards reducing the incidence of youth unemployment Which ravage the continent.
Dr. Afeti who spoke on the theme “Employment-Oriented Skills Development in Africa: Reliality, Relevance and Research as Enablers, further maintained that the topic is key to trying to ease the problem of unemployment in Africa.
“Unemployment cannot be easy if the youth don’t have the skills required to enter the job market. Youth unemployment is a risk for social conflicts and social distractions as seen in the recent past.”
He said Africa records millions of youths who do not have the skills required for the world of work and it’s time to look at how to empower young people who are poorly educated without any skills yet need a job to earn a living.
The guest lecturer however revealed that in proffering solutions for the teeming unemployed youths, the employment-oriented skills development must be introduced.
He added that no matter one’s area of discipline it’s important to also acquire digital skills to become proficient in computer technology to improve productivity as the globe is going digital.
This year’s lecture is to arouse in skills development, especially skills that will lead to job employment for the people of Africa.
He advocated for government involvement in skills development and to support universities institutions and to put in place fiscal measures that will encourage entrepreneurs, create enterprises which will metamorph to availability of jobs for young people with skills.
He also advocated that engineers focus on training lower levels in order to strengthen the engineering profession as a whole.