Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration committed to supporting initiatives that promote excellence and innovation in all sectors, particularly the engineering sector.
Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed this to the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) during the Lagos Regional Engineering Stakeholders Summit, themed: “Restructuring and Reforms,” held at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, stated that this commitment would build a Lagos and a Nigeria that is not only resilient but also sustainable and inclusive, adding that the state government recognized the success of infrastructure projects as industrial goals depend heavily on the competence and integrity of the engineers.
“We are also committed to creating an enabling environment for engineers to thrive. This includes investing in capacity-building programs, fostering public-private partnerships, and leveraging technology to address the challenges of urbanization and climate change,” the governor said.
Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that engineering is the backbone of any nation’s progress, emphasizing that it is the driving force behind industrialization, infrastructure development, and economic growth, l urging engineers to embrace the opportunities presented by COREN’s reforms and expanded regulatory framework es their role in nation-building cannot be overstated.
The governor noted that as they innovate and design solutions to pressing challenges, they should be reminded that their work had the power to transform lives and shape the future of the country, assuring that his government would continue to collaborate with COREN and other stakeholders to ensure that engineering practice in Nigeria meets global standards.
Reeling out the different initiatives implemented by the state government, Sanwo-Olu highlighted that his administration had consistently prioritized infrastructure development as a key pillar of its economic agenda.
“Our investments in transportation, housing, healthcare, and education infrastructure are testaments to our belief that a well-planned and efficiently executed infrastructure system is the foundation of a thriving economy. However, none of these achievements would have been possible without the expertise, dedication, and professionalism of engineers,” the governor said.
Earlier In his address, President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Sadiq Abubakar, reaffirmed the council’s unweaving commitment to engineering excellence, regulatory efficiency, and national development driven by the strategic roadmap for the transformation of the engineering profession in Nigeria.
Abubakar noted that COREN’s vision was to establish a world-class engineering regulatory body that fosters professionalism, innovation, and compliance, adding: “In pursuit of this, COREN has embarked on a comprehensive restructuring process guided by the Engineers Registration Act (as amended) 2018 for enhanced engineering education, training, and ethical practice enforcement.”
He highlighted that Institutional Restructuring, Decentralization of Operations, Strengthen Engineering Education, Advancing Professional Development, and financial sustainability, among others,were some of the initiatives under COREN’s reform.
The president stressed that to drive the reforms effectively, COREN had established and empowered the Role of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC) to serve as a key organ for compliance and enforcement at the regional level.
“The Lagos RSC is composed of distinguished professionals representing disciplines, academia, industry, etc. who previously held principal roles in and outside CORD and served the engineering profession diligently,” he said.
Abubakar noted that in collaboration with the Lagos State STC and EMC, the RSC ensured the engineering monitoring and enforcement mechanisms were executed at the grassroots levels, aligning with COREN’s national regulatory framework.
In his welcome address, Chairman, Lagos Regional Steering Committee LRSC, Engr. Ibikunle Ogunbayo stated that the summit was to brief members of COREN about the new direction of COREN, following the recent passage of the Law which had expanded the scope of qctivities of the Council, aimed at enhancing the role of COREN in the regulation of engineering in the development of the nation.
“The structure and operations of the new Regional Steering Committees, which is intended to bring COREN’s regulatory activities closer to the parts of the nation, will be explained and it is hoped that this will lay the framework for closer relationships between COREN and all Engineering personnel and all those who utilize the services of these Engineering Personnel,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the inauguration of 12 Lagos Regional Steering Committee (LRSC) members saddled with the responsibility of looking at and identifying gaps that will help the body function effectively.
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