Engr. Ogbeni AbdulRauf Aregbesola, FNSE, Governor of the State of Osun assured that he would continue to use his position to push for the interest of Engineers and engineering.
Aregbesola spoke in Abuja when the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Otis Anyaeji, FNSE, FAEng visited to commiserate with him over the passing of his mother, Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola.
The Governor told the President of NSE that he would join forces with his counterpart, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Omahi, FNSE as well as the Engineers serving in the federal cabinet, namely; Engr. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, FNSE, FAEng and Engr. Suleiman Adamu, FNSE to influence policies that would make room for the involvement of Nigerian Engineers in the country’s development process.
Aregbesola underscored the relevance of the Nigerian Engineers to government quest to the revival of the railway. He noted, rather than inviting professionals from any foreign land for the execution of the project, it would be a fantastic decision to engage Nigerian Engineers to undertake the project.
The State of Osun Governor commended the decision of the NSE to Present Past President, Engr. Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, FNSE to stand for election into the office of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO). Similarly, he pledged to galvanize other Governors through the Governors Forum to support the bid.
Earlier, the President of NSE, Engr. Otis Anyaeji told the Governor that the members of the NSE Council and the entire membership of the Society were deeply touched by the death of his mother. He prayed that the Almighty would grant her eternal rest in peace.
Anyaeji equally implored him to use his position to promote the interest of Engineers and Engineering. He told him to painstakingly educate some members of the Federal Executive Council, particularly those appointed to head engineering based ministries to consider the use of Nigerian Engineers and local materials in the execution of projects.
Otis told him that the appeal to him had become necessary seen that some ministers were not willing to adhere to the implementation of local content and by implication patronize Nigerian Engineers. The President thanked him for agreeing to assist in influencing policies in the direction of favouring Nigerian Engineers.
Engr Adeniran Ibitoye (Kilomodemo), FNSE
Chair, Media & Publicity (M&P)
Nigerian Society of Engineers
