More than 12,000 Nigerian engineers are certified --IPC chairman
By ALIYU YUSUF

NOT more than 12,000 Nigerian engineers are certified to have answered the name of engineers and practice their profession as prescribed by law.
This was disclosed by the chairman IPC and the immediate-past chairman of the Nigerian Society for Engineers Kano branch, Engr. Muhammad Jibril (FNSE) during an interactive season with pressmen and the new executive members of the society.
Engr. Jibril explained that for one to have used the suffix of engineer and call himself a qualified and practicing engineer, he must obtain a certificate from the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) irrespective of his educational status.
He added that the council is the only body that certifies who are supposed to answer the title of engineers and operate under the ethics of the profession, lamenting that greater percentage of those parading themselves as engineers have no COREN certificate, calling on them to register so that they can be certified for the progress of the profession.
Speaking on quackery in the profession, the chairman said such unlawful practices are dangerous and posing serious threat to the lives of the people.
He further lamented that such quacks are even engaged in undertaking all sorts of engineering duties in their quest to make a living at the risk of the larger society.
He attributed the success of the quacks to the negligence of the larger society by compromising standards to minimize cost, by allowing unprofessionals to carry decisions beyond their capacity.
He therefore, pledged to do everything possible to ensure the success of the new executive of the society in the state by giving them all the necessary co-operation.
Also speaking, the new chairman of the society, Engr. A. A. Rabiu (MNSE), stressed that engineers have a vital role to play in the day-to-day lives of the society as their practices cut-across all aspects of human needs.
He explained that what has been an impediment to the progress of engineering as a profession and the engineers in the country for long, was lack of enabling environment by the government to showcase their God-given talents.
Rather, he said, they prefer the services of the “so-called” foreign expatriates whom mostly come into the country to deceive us with their white skin but without proper qualifications``.
The new chairman, therefore, stressed the need for cordial relationship existing between the society and the press to be stronger.
Others elected into the NSE executive are Engr. A. A. Rabiu (MNSE), Chairman, Engr. Muhammad A. Galadanchi (MNSE) Vice Chairman, Engr. Ali S. Maihula, general secretary, Engr. Sani Abdulkadir (MNSE), assistant general secretary and Engr. I. I. Jidda as technical secretary.
Others are: Engr. Abdullahi Muhammad (MNSE), assistant technical secretary, Engr. I. U. Dederi (MNSE) financial secretary, Engr. Nasir El-Mansur (MNSE) PRO, Engr. I. L. Sharif (MNSE) Ex-officio and Engr. Peter Ominije (MNSE) also as ex-officio.