The National Association of Technologists in Engineering, NATE, has called for stronger advocacy and collaboration to eliminate quackery in Nigeria’s engineering profession.
During a courtesy visit to the management of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Lagos Operations, the National General Secretary of NATE, Mr Ibidapo Kayode, blamed the increasing cases of building collapse in the country on quackery in engineering practice.
Mr Kayode commended Radio Nigeria for providing a platform to enlighten the public and pledged continued collaboration with the corporation to sanitise the profession through advocacy and awareness campaigns.
“As far as Engineering practice is concerned in Nigeria, we can eradicate quack in the industry, we can reduce the issue of house collapse especially in Lagos. There is the need for more advocacy.”
“The only Radio Station that can do it more effectively is Radio Nigeria Lagos, where we have three stations, Radio 1, Bond FM and Metro FM and it is easier for them to spread this news which they have been doing and which we have to commend them.”
Also speaking, Chairman of NATE, Lagos State Branch, Mr Victor Oyedele, described engineering as the backbone of national development and stressed the need for all practitioners to be properly certified and registered.
He said the association would continue mentoring and retraining young engineers to promote professionalism and safeguard lives and property.
Radio Nigeria Operations, without which no one will know about NATE activities. We have to pass through the radio and they have been there for us at all times.”
Responding, Director, Lagos Operations of FRCN, Princess Adenike Adegoke, thanked the association for the visit and reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to public enlightenment against quackery, especially in engineering practice.
She noted that Radio Nigeria, now marking seventy-five years of broadcasting, would continue to serve as a credible platform for national development and public education.
“Radio Nigeria has come a long way, in fact we clocked 75 in April and we are breaking barriers in broadcasting.”
You have talked about eliminating quackery in the industry and the issue of collapse building, this we are going to propagate and tell the people the need to do away with quackery in that industry so that we will have only professional there and the issue of building collapse would be a thing of the past.”
Highlights of the visit included the presentation of a photo frame to the Director, Lagos Operations, and the presentation of a Radio Nigeria information booklet to the visitors.
Reporting By Victor Okiche