Aregbesola Vows To Continue Pushing For Engineers’ Interest
By Francis Ezediuno
Governor of the State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola has assured that he would continue to use his position to push for the interest of engineers and the engineering profession.
Aregbesola made this known in Abuja when the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Otis Anyaeji visited him to commiserate with him over the passing of his mother, Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola.
The Governor disclosed that he would join forces with his counterpart, David Omahi of Ebonyi State, as well as other engineers serving in the federal cabinet, 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 NSE to the government’s quest to revive the railway.
He maintained that rather than inviting professionals from foreign countries for the execution of the project, it would be a fantastic decision to engage NSE to undertake the project.
The Osun Governor then commended the decision of the NSE to present its past president, Engr. Mustafa Balarabe Shehu to stand for election into the office of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO).
He pledged to galvanise other Governors through the ‘Governors Forum’ to support the bid.
Earlier, the NSE President, Engr. Otis Anyaeji implored the Governor to use his position to promote the interest of engineers and the profession.
He requested 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.
Engr. Anyaeji maintained that the appeal had become necessary after he observed that some ministers were not willing to adhere to the implementation of local content and by implication patronising Nigerian engineers.
The NSE President thanked him for agreeing to assist in influencing policies that would favour the engineers.
