This was the focus of the eighth edition of the Engineer (Dr) Ralph Adeola Alabi Memorial Lecture which was put together by the Nigeria Society for Engineers held in Ikeja, recently.
In his opening remarks, the special guest of honour, Engineer Aderemi Oseni, lauded the life and times of the late Alabi, saying, among other things, that “I view this occasion, as a celebration of life, deeds and legacy of one of the most illustrious sons of Nigeria and unforgettable pillar of the Ikeja branch of Nigeria Society of Engineers. I did not have the privilege of meeting or having a personal close relationship with Engineer Alabi during his life time like many of you, but the impact of his purposeful and well spent life that touched many people in many ways remains unforgettable and serve as a source of inspiration to upcoming generations.”
Speaking further, he called for a revamp of the construction industry, insisting that all hands must be on deck to see to the realisation of this lofty goal. “The engineering industry that has abundant potential to create job and wealth for the nation is bewailed with a myriad of problems like poor manpower development, decaying and ineffective vocational and technical education, low development of science and technology, low involvement and participation of private sector in infrastructural development, poor maintenance of existing public infrastructure, diminished opportunities for local contractors, archaic nature of some local skills due to change in technology, low investment in infrastructure, lack of policy to deliberately promote the growth of indigenous contractors, monumental corruption in the construction and engineering sectors among many others.
“The truth of the matter is that all these should serve as a wake-up call to all of us in the engineering profession. We must come together, work with various levels of government and other stakeholders to provide solutions to these cancerous problems, reposition engineering services or remain indifferent, unconcerned and suffer the consequences. Nigeria’s economy is at a crossroads in view of the reality of economic challenges that our dear country is passing through at the moment. Our government is looking for solutions that will facilitate economic emancipation, job creation and improve the quality of life of the citizenry.”
Other speakers at the event called for concerted efforts in building a virile construction industry. They averred that the era of fake engineers who lack the prerequisite qualification should be fought against and that the glorious days of strengthening the industry should be brought forward.
Chief among those present at the event or represented included the governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, the director of the human resources of Flour Mills Plc, the chairman and the executive council members of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Ikeja branch, members of the organizing committee for Engineer (Dr) Ralph Alabi Memorial Lecture, members of the family of the late Engineer (Dr) Ralph Alabi and the general public.
and then