The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian engineers to deliver projects that meet international standards, urging governments to provide them with the opportunities needed to showcase their expertise.
Kukah made the call on Wednesday while delivering the keynote address at the 4th Late Engr. Charles Mbanefo Memorial Lecture organised by the Abuja Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in Abuja.
He lamented Nigeria’s continued dependence on foreign engineers for major infrastructure projects, describing the trend as harmful to the growth of indigenous engineering capacity and national development.
According to the cleric, Nigerian engineers have the competence to execute world-class projects if they are adequately supported.
“Nigerian engineers possess the competence and expertise required to deliver projects that meet international standards if provided with the necessary opportunities and support,” Kukah said.
He urged engineers not to relent in engaging the Federal Government until the country begins to deliver iconic engineering projects that would attract global attention to Abuja and the 36 states.
Kukah said Nigeria must move beyond ordinary infrastructure and begin to build engineering masterpieces that reflect the country’s potential.
“It is unfortunate that the biggest monuments in most states of Nigeria today are flyovers,” he said.
He challenged engineers to embrace innovation and creativity by designing projects that would inspire admiration, become tourist attractions and stand as symbols of national pride.
The bishop also called on governments at all levels to create an enabling environment that would allow indigenous engineers to deploy their talents while reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign expertise.
Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, described the annual memorial lecture as a celebration of professionalism, integrity and visionary leadership.
Rabiu said the theme, Science and the Moral Foundation of Nation Building, underscored the need for scientific advancement to be guided by ethics, accountability and justice.
“We are builders of infrastructure and innovators of technology, but we are equally custodians of values that ensure our innovations serve humanity with integrity, accountability and justice,” he said.
He praised the organisers for sustaining the memorial lecture in honour of the late Engr. Charles Mbanefo, whom he described as a patriot and an exemplary engineer committed to professional excellence and nation-building.
The event attracted former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Labaran Maku, past presidents of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, members of the Mbanefo family, engineering professionals and other dignitaries, who paid glowing tributes to the late engineer for his contributions to the profession and national development.
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