NSE charges newly inducted engineers on national development

Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Bauchi State Branch, has urged newly inducted 800 graduate Engineers of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, to uphold professional ethics, embrace continuous learning and contribute to addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure and development challenges.

The Chairman of the NSE Bauchi Branch, Engr. Shehu Wakili, gave the charge during the 4th induction ceremony of graduate members of the society at the university on Saturday, where he described the occasion as a significant milestone in the professional careers of the young engineers.

Shehu Wakili, who spoke on behalf of the NSE President, Engr. Alimasuya Rabiu and the Society’s National Executive Council, congratulated the inductees on their admission into the professional body, describing their membership as the beginning of a new phase of responsibility and service.

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He noted that the induction went beyond the presentation of certificates, stressing that it marked the transition from academic training to professional practice, where engineers would be expected to apply their knowledge responsibly and adhere to established standards.

According to him, “Engineering is a profession that directly affects human lives, public safety and national development, making integrity and competence indispensable qualities for every practitioner.”

“The bridge you will design, someone’s father will drive on it. The building you will supervise, someone’s children will sleep inside it. The power system you will operate, a hospital depends on it. Therefore, failure is not an option,” he said.

The NSE branch chairman emphasised that engineers must recognise the far-reaching consequences of their professional decisions, particularly in the design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure and essential services.

He urged the newly inducted members to place public safety and professional responsibility above personal financial interests, warning them against compromising standards for profit.

Shehu Wakili specifically cautioned against the use of substandard construction materials, unprofessional practices, and shortcuts capable of undermining the quality and safety of engineering projects.

He maintained that engineers must protect the integrity of their profession by ensuring that every project entrusted to them meets the required technical and ethical standards.

The Chairman also encouraged the inductees to remain committed to professional development, noting that obtaining a Bachelor of Engineering degree was only the beginning of a lifelong learning process.

He observed that technological advancements were rapidly transforming the engineering profession, with developments in artificial intelligence, renewable energy and smart-grid systems creating new opportunities and demands for practitioners.

Shehu Wakili therefore urged the young engineers to pursue postgraduate qualifications, acquire relevant technical skills and work towards obtaining registration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

The Chairman also assured them that the NSE Bauchi Branch would provide opportunities for professional training, mentorship and networking to help them develop their competence and remain abreast of emerging trends in the field.

He further challenged the inductees to contribute meaningfully to national development by applying their expertise to Nigeria’s persistent challenges in electricity supply, road infrastructure, water provision and security-related technological needs.

According to him, the country requires engineers who can develop practical solutions to its problems, create employment opportunities and support sustainable economic growth.

The induction ceremony brought together University representatives, Engineering professionals, members of the NSE and COREN, the newly inducted graduate members, and other stakeholders in the engineering sector.

In his keynote address, Prof. S. Y. Umar from Geotechnical Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering, ATBU, encouraged the new members to become job creators rather than depend solely on available employment opportunities, adding that their technical knowledge and innovative ideas could contribute to industrial growth and improved public services.

Prof. Umar, who is also the Dean of Student Affairs of the institution, acknowledged the contributions of the university’s management, lecturers and parents to the training and development of the graduates.

He expressed appreciation to the parents for their sacrifices and to the lecturers for imparting the knowledge and skills required to prepare the young engineers for professional practice.

He also urged the inductees to uphold the dignity of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, maintain high ethical standards, and serve as worthy ambassadors of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.