NSE Victoria Island branch commences Engineering Week

The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Victoria Island Lagos branch has commenced its week-long engineering programme with the theme: “Advancing the Frontiers of Communication and Digital Economy in Nigeria: The role of the Nigerian Engineer”.

The programme, apart from featuring an annual distinguished public lecture in honour of the immediate past president of the Society, Engr. Babagana Muhammed, a Fellow of NSE, will also feature  an induction of 59 new corporate members.

Addressing newsmen on the event in Lagos, the Chairman of the branch, Engr. Emeka Benson Ibeh, said: “The purpose of the week is to give back to the community in terms of skill digital awareness, educate them on what we do and our achievement in the last year, and also to focus on the theme of this year’s engineering week, which is on communication and digital economy, our roles as engineers”.

Engr. Ibeh also said: “On Wednesday, the branch will be organising a free digital skills acquisition training for its young engineers and SMEs interested to participate as a way of giving back to the community.

“Thursday will be our AGM and election to bring on board a new executive committee that would steer this branch for the next 12 months.

“On Friday, being the grand finale, we are holding a market fire safety campaign on how to prevent fire outbreaks with the use of basic fire safety techniques augmented with digital solutions”.

Stating that stakeholders and other personalities have been invited to grace the occasion, Engr. Ibeh also revealed: “Governors invited to attend the lecture include, the Governors of Borno, Nassarawa, Ebonyi, and the general public through our social media campaigns”.

He explained that the theme  of this year’s programme was picked in tandem with what the Nigerian Society of Engineers nationally is interested in.

“The reality in doing business not just in Lagos, Nigeria but the world at large is now transiting from analogue (brick and mortar business) to digitalization influenced by the internet, new technologies such as blockchain and other digital solutions, and it has come to stay with us. The earlier we embrace it, the better for all of us”, Engr. Ibeh added.

On why the government prefers foreign firms for major engineering work in the country, the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the branch, Engr. David Ebere. said:  “In the past, most engineers here were interested in the technicalities and that is our core competence, but today,things are changing and it is only change that is constant. So, what we are also doing right now is to get involved with the politics, it is inevitable, and we need to be there and make sure that things change as the case may be”.

A member of the branch, Engr. Babatunji Adegoke,  who spoke on this year’s theme, said: “I found the theme of this engineering week interesting because it has to do with communication and digital technology. We all know that the world is going digital especially since the COVID-19 pandemic experience.

“Presently, meetings, conferences, and other business engagements can take place virtually, and that is the way forward. Again, it is important for us as Engineers to adopt those digital technologies”.

Another member, Engr. Momoh Omokafe, stated: “if you look at the theme,which centres on communication and digitalisation, you will discover that the understanding of digital technology is helping some organisations now to cut costs and replace human activities with machine”.

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