By Cajetan Muta
The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has tasked members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Awka branch, to emulate their colleagues, the Ebonyi State governor, Engr. Dave Umahi and his Oyo State counterpart, Engr. Seyi Makinde, in politics, to pave way for positive industrialization and attainment of rapid economic growth and sustainable development.

Obiano stated this while delivering a special session of the Society”s monthly general meeting and technical lecture with the Title; “Engineers & Politics: The Way Forward”

He said the state and Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation and prosperity depend on mass industrialization, more so with Nigerian Engineers at the driving seat, insisting that sustainable development would remain a mirage if Nigerian Engineers continue to stay away from partisan politics.

The governor noted that China as a country, massively became a major player in global politics and development today. Chinese leaders had their backgrounds deeply rooted in Engineering, asserting that the Chinese Gross Domestic Products (GDP) continues to grow because the people at the corridors of power in China are Engineers.

According to Obiano, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Digital and Creative Economic, Engr. Ifeanyi Aniagoh said “By the Profession training and re-training, Engineers are to proffer solutions to problems confronting humanity and this will be expanded to developing infrastructures on a larger scale to solve multiple problems in the society. And by this, the country is driven to development.

“Even though Engineers keep away from politics because Engineering Principles Don’t work with Politics, however, putting the overriding interests of the end-users in focus is paramount for the socio-economic transformation of the country.

Obiano disclosed that the challenges of power supply, cybercrimes, environmental pollution, Climate Change, and other infrastructural problems could be addressed frontally only if Nigerian Engineers offer themselves elective offices in their various Wards, Local Government, and State levels.

He said Engineers are goal-getters and result-oriented, noting that if the future of Nigeria is industrialization, it is incumbent upon Engineers to take the front seats in leadership positions across the country.

” Industrialization is about Engineers and Engineering. As Engineers, you need political power to execute beautiful ideas in your various Council Areas.

“And governor Umahi and Mankind, are using the power as Engineers to execute projects and ideas that is currently transforming the lives of their people in their states, just like the infrastructural development that is ongoing on in Anambra State, the operational Cargo/Passenger Airport, the ongoing Construction of International Convention Centre and Awka City Stadium.

“So we need qualified and registered Engineers to join the incoming administration of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo because Engineers are going to get it right in fixing the state to International standard.

He advised the younger generation of Engineers to be patient and demonstrate commitment to service and display a high sense of integrity in the service to Ndi-Anambra and the country at large.

He advised them to identify themselves with political parties and their community’s politics for fast grow growth.

He also advised the NSE executive to always engage members on leadership training and retraining to inculcate them with the system.

The branch Chairman, Awka chapter, Engr. Odinaka Okonkwo, while commending Governor Obiano, for his administration’s relentless efforts in delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state, also called on the incoming governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to sustain the momentum and accelerate the pace of good governance in Anambra State.

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He equally appeal to Prof. Soludo, to retained an NSE member as Commissioner for Works in his administration.

The event which took place at Awka has in attendance, the State Commissioner of Works, Engr. Marcel Ejiofor, Director of Fire Service in the State, Engr. Martins Agbili, sponsor of the event, Engr. Sir. C. M. Anetoh, the branch Vice Chairman, Engr. Finbarr Ajegwu, the branch PRO, Engr. Vincent C. Onuzulike, immediate past Chairman, Engr. Edmond Nkanu, among others.

New members, Engr. Abasili Onyeka Michael and Engr. Nwadimkpa Chineye Prisca was also inducted into the Society during the meeting.