By Clifford Christopher Solomon
A fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Ene Benibo, has been admitted into the prestigious Hall of Fame of the Port Harcourt branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers. The event took place at Hago Height Event Centre on Thursday September 16,2021.
Speaking to National Point on the sideline of the event, Benibo said the award came at the peak of his career, as an engineer.
“We have worked hard without recognition as the engineering profession is not quite appreciated in this country but I stand to say this, in the development of a nation the engineers are at the forefront”, he said.
Speaking on the state of the Nigeria Society of Engineers secretariat, the former chairman who served from 2006-2007 said he is deeply pained that the body does not yet have a befitting secretariat.
“Today, we are looking at our secretariat; you will notice that it is lower than any other professional body’s and we are seeking the government to assist us build our secretariat called ‘The Engineering Resource Centre’. The Engineering Resource Centre is where you have a collection of brains, the resources of all the Engineers are there, a place where we can assemble and solve all kinds of engineering problems, but regrettably, we are still fighting after more than 15 years. We have tried to establish the Engineering Resource Centre but no one has come to our aid; that is why I am speaking through this medium”.
On efforts by the Rivers State branch of society of engineers, the Kalabari-born engineer said, the society has 30 plots of land, stressing that if built, the engineers will donate their knowledge and strategically develop the country.
“We have 30 plots of land along the Prof. Tam David West Boulevard and we are hoping that the Engineering Resource Centre will be built there for all engineers to donate their knowledge towards the development of this nation. The engineers are out there to strategically develop our country as such, we should be assisted by our government”, added the honoured fellow.
Those admitted into the Hall of Fame include Prof. Youpele Orukalama Beredugo, Emeritus Prof. Steve Timipa Odi-Owei, Prof. Alabo Kelvin Datonye, Henry Bob-Manuel and late Prof. Howells Idaerefagha Hart.
