The National President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, has extolled the exemplary attributes and qualities of late Engr. (Chief) Geoffrey Osatohanmwan Aiwerioba for the great legacy he left behind.
Rabiu made the statements at the 9th public lecture organized in honour of the late Engr. Aiwerioba in Benin City, with the theme, “Strengthening Infrastructure Delivery Through Engineering Governance in Edo State.”
He asserted that engineers are committed to the vision of the project of their society. “It is a great building of interest and our commitment as engineers to the development of our country. Engineers are committed to the vision of the project of our society.
“However, the missing link has often been engineering governance which can fail the systems, processes, and ethical frameworks that ensure that infrastructure is not only due that is obtained cost effective safe and keep for all purpose.
“I do not know a lot of details about the government structure in the state but watching from the distance I know that the current administration has shown the commendable drive for the renewal and structural transformation. Certified engineers should as a matter of policy be engaged from project inception,” Rabiu added.
Delivering the Keynote presentation, Special Adviser to the Governor, Project Implementation and Monitoring Department (PIMD), Office of the Governor, Mrs. Phoebe Ufuoma, said engineers should promote continuous professional development.
She posited that they were trying create cities in every community in Edo State. She urged engineers to embrace technology, innovation and try to shape the society through their decisions.
“The essence of the flyovers is to remove gridlock from that location. In Edo State, completion of the flyover take less than one year and seven months.
“All the underground cover had been done. The flood control has been done. So, it’s beyond the flyovers. The 2.2 kilometres of the underground drainage, 3.5 kilometres of the surface drainage which is going to capture the flood problem in those areas,” Ufuoma said.
The daughter of late Engr Geoffrey Osatohanmwan Aiwerioba, Kindade Beatrice Aiwerioba, said she was so happy that the engineers took out their time to sponsor the event and described the occasion as a great one.
“My daddy had really made remarkable remarks in the lives of Engineers. He was the first President of Nigerian Society of Engineers. He brought the engineers together as one family.
“This year will make it 12 years since he died, but his name and legacy will go far. I want to thank everyone for their presence,” she stated.
The Benin Branch Chairman of NSE, Engr. Tina M. Oigiagbe, said strengthening infrastructure delivery through engineering governance in Edo state was with a focus on enhancing project implementation, monitoring, accountability and sustainability in infrastructure development.
She said the theme of the lecture was is critical because it seeks to accelerate economic growth and improve the quality of life of their people through sound engineering governance.
The lecture offered an opportunity for the conferment of awards to engineers who had distinguished themselves in the profession.
Among awardees were Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the National President of Nigerian Society of Engineers Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu.
The NSE Benin branch also used the occasion to award scholarships public secondary school students within Benin metropolis. The scholarships were designed to reward academically gifted indigent students, while stimulating interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The beneficiaries were selected through an exercise that involved 14 schools. The following students emerged winners: Joint 1st – Balogun Ajisola Divine, Omosefe Osayemewenere from Ogbe Secondary School and won N90,000. The third position went to Abhumen Ofure, Ogbe Secondary school, ₦70,000 while the 4th position went to Eze Joseph from Oba Akenzua II, Secondary school with a cash prize of ₦50,000.
