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COREN 33 Assembly: Former Minister Urges FGN To Prioritise Support For Engineers In Nation-building

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From Lateef Taiwo

Former Minister of Power Professor Barth Nnaji has stated that adequate support for the engineering profession in Nigeria by ensuring adequate funding and capacity building opportunities for practitioners to bring them up to speed with knowledge in modern innovations that would enhance their role in nation-building.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja as the chairman of the opening ceremony of the 33rd COREN Engineering Assembly, Nnaji who is the founder and chairman of the indigenous power company, Geometric Power Limited (GPL) stressed the importance of engineers in driving inclusive growth and addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure and development challenges.

COREN as the regulatory body with the mandate to regulate and control the engineering education, training and practice of engineering in all its aspects and ramifications.

The theme for the 2025 Assembly is “Advancing Quality Engineering Services and Businesses in Nigeria-Professional Compliance and Remuneration.”

Prof Nnaji recommended the establishment of dedicated innovation funds, and technology parks where engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs can collaborate to build indigenous solutions tailored to Nigeria’s unique challenges by the federal government (FG).

He equally urged the federal government to enact and enforce forward-looking policies that promote innovation, incentivise research and development, and streamline regulatory processes to accelerate national development through engineering.

He said: “Establishing dedicated funds and technology parks where engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs collaborate will foster homegrown solutions.

“The government also has a vital role to play. It must enact and enforce clear, forward-looking policies that incentivise research and development, protect intellectual property, and streamline regulatory approvals.”

He called on the authorities to play their part by providing the enabling environment for engineering enterprises to thrive.

The professor also advocated a transparent public-private partnership (PPP) framework, which he said, is essential to leverage private sector expertise and financing in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects.

“Government can tap into private engineering expertise and capital, accelerating delivery while ensuring accountability,” he added.

While highlighting the critical role engineers play in national development from constructing roads and power plants to designing digital infrastructure, he stressed the importance of adapting academic curricula to include digital literacy, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary learning.

“Engineers are nation builders. When given the opportunity, we create solutions that are essential for inclusive development,” he said, noting that technological innovation must be underpinned by ethical standards and professional competence”, he said.

Referencing China as an example Engr Nnaji said China which is the fastest growing economy in the world has engineers occupying most of her top government offices as decision custodians.

Engr Nnaji balanced his call by tasking his fellow professionals to reaffirm commitment to upholding the highest standards of excellence in ethics and innovation.

“Let us mentor the next generation, sharing both our technical knowledge and our sense of civic responsibility. As we stand at the crossroads of possibility, let us chart a course guided by ingenuity collaboration and a shared vision of a prosperous, sustainable Nigeria.

Concluding his advice, Nnaji said, “To our government partners, I urge you to recognise that engineers are not merely service providers, but strategic allies in nation building, together we can harness technology rooted in our unique context to build resilient infrastructure, spur economic development and uplift every Nigerian community.”

Earlier in his welcome remarks, President and Chairman in Council of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, who expressed concern over the recurring engineering failures, especially housing collapse, across the country in recent times sought collaboration of states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in addressing the challenge of non-compliance with standards, leading to engineering failures.

According to Abubakar, the theme of this year’s COREN Assembly is very apt, focusing on key issues of professionalism, compliance and remuneration while delivering quality engineering services and businesses.

“So, I call on captains of industry, state governments and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to join hands with COREN technical committees in the states, expatriate monitoring committees and other sectorial regulators.

This is to curb the dangerous trends of non-compliance with codes and standards leading to engineering failures occurring in the various sectors.

These trends have caused loss of lives, properties, investments and loss of confidence in the engineering profession,” he said.

The COREN President at the beginning of the event expressed on behalf of himself, his family and the entire COREN family expressed deep sorrow over the demise of immediate past president of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari announced a week’s mourning period for the late former president, Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the event, since it had started before the sad news filtered in was allowed to hold low-keyed.

Declaring a one-minute silent for the repose of the soul of the Ex-President, Abubakar said the 33rd COREN Engineering Assembly would have been postponed to mourn him if not for the fact that the programme commenced earlier.

On his part, COREN Registrar, Prof. Okorie A. U. Uche expressed an unreserved gratitude to the dignitaries, professionals, and other invested guests who had come from far and near to grace the occasion, noting that it was a sign that they all wanted the best for the engineering profession in Nigeria.

“It speaks directly to the core of what we must continue to pursue: quality in engineering services that leads to local and global standard, professionalism that reflect ethical conduct, technical excellence and accountability, compliance with enhance competence that impacts the people socioeconomically,” he said.

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KAWU HAILS TINUBU’S LANDSLIDE APC PRIMARY VICTORY, DESCRIBES IT AS “A TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY ”

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Rt. Hon. Comrade Hafiz Kawu, OON, mni, Executive Commissioner (Technical) of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his overwhelming victory at the 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Primary Election, describing the outcome as a clear endorsement of the President’s leadership and reform-driven administration.
Kawu, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State, said the President’s victory was not only historic but also a reflection of the growing confidence Nigerians have in the Renewed Hope agenda.
President Tinubu secured a massive victory in the nationwide direct primary election conducted across the country’s 8,809 wards, polling over 10 million votes to defeat his challenger, Mr. Stanley Osifo.
Reacting to the result, Kawu said the election demonstrated the strength of Nigeria’s democratic process and the willingness of Nigerians to stand behind a leader they believe is committed to national progress.
According to him, the President’s decision to participate in an open and transparent direct primary election despite being the incumbent leader showed rare courage, humility, and democratic conviction.
He noted that President Tinubu could easily have relied on the influence of incumbency but instead chose to subject himself to the will of party members and ordinary Nigerians through a grassroots voting process.
Kawu praised the President for championing reforms that strengthened internal party democracy, saying the direct primary system gave millions of Nigerians a sense of participation and ownership in the political process.
The PenCom Commissioner further commended the Tinubu administration for implementing policies and reforms aimed at repositioning the country’s economy, improving infrastructure, strengthening institutions, and enhancing workers’ welfare through measures such as the new national minimum wage.
He stated that many Nigerians were beginning to see the practical impact of the administration’s policies, adding that the outcome of the primary election reflected public appreciation for the President’s efforts.
Kawu also described Tinubu as a leader with a strong vision for national development and unity, stressing that the renewed mandate from party members should serve as further motivation to continue delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.
He reaffirmed his support and loyalty to the President’s administration and prayed for divine wisdom, strength, and guidance for the President as he continues to steer the affairs of the nation.
Kawu concluded by expressing optimism that Nigeria would continue to witness growth, stability, and progress under President Tinubu’s leadership.

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Dogara Commends Tinubu’s Resounding APC Primary Victory

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Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Dogara, who served as Bauchi State Coordinator and Collation Officer while also sitting on the national Presidential Primary Election Committee, said the outcome was not just a win for Tinubu but a triumph for grassroots democracy. He congratulated the President on behalf of Bauchi State and in his capacity as a member of the committee, calling the victory extraordinary, historic, and thoroughly deserved.

The final results revealed Tinubu’s overwhelming mandate: 10,999,162 votes across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, compared to just 15,503 for his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo. For Dogara, this margin was more than a statistic; it was a declaration of trust from millions of APC members nationwide. He noted that nearly eleven million Nigerians had risen as one to affirm a leader who had earned their confidence, describing the outcome as a movement rather than just a result.

Dogara commended the election committee, chaired by former SGF Pius Anyim and including respected figures such as Ken Nnamani, Victor Ndoma-Egba, and Idris Wada, for ensuring transparency, credibility, and fairness throughout the process. He said the committee had been given a sacred mandate to guarantee integrity and was proud that it discharged that responsibility faithfully.

He also highlighted Tinubu’s decision to subject himself to direct primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, which abolished delegate voting and empowered millions of party members at the grassroots. Dogara stressed that Tinubu could have relied on the powers of incumbency but instead chose to stand before the people. He described this as humility and character, noting that Tinubu had signed the law, championed the reforms, and then submitted himself to the same process, proving his commitment to democratic principles.

In his closing remarks, Dogara urged Tinubu to carry the weight of the people’s confidence with integrity and purpose. He reminded the President that nearly eleven million Nigerians had entrusted him with their hopes, calling it a responsibility of historic proportions. He charged Tinubu to fulfill that mandate faithfully, declaring that history is watching and that Nigerians are proud.

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APC Reps Primary: Akpanke Wins Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Ticket

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Over the weekend, Hon. Peter A. Akpanke emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election for the Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency in Cross River State after securing an overwhelming majority of votes cast across the three local government areas.

The primary election, monitored by party officials and stakeholders, recorded a total of 18,921 registered APC members and delegates across Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku Local Government Areas.

Official results collation which was made available to journalists showed that 16,564 valid votes were cast during the exercise, with no void votes recorded.

According to the results, Hon. Akpanke polled a total of 14,252 votes to defeat five other aspirants, with
Hon. Theresa Akwaji Ushie scoring 101 votes;
Hon. Martin Orim with 1,572 votes;
Anthonia A. Ally with 104 votes;
Dr. Vincent A. Ushie with 270 votes and
Dr. Godwin A. Agbor with 265 votes.

A breakdown of the constituency wide results showed that Akpanke secured 4,749 votes in Obanliku Local Government Area, 4,886 votes in Obudu Local Government Area, and 4,617 votes in Bekwarra Local Government Area, consolidating respectively.

Following the conclusion of the collation process, APC electoral officials formally declared Hon. Peter A. Akpanke winner of the party’s House of Representatives primary election for the Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency.

The primary election was described by stakeholders, observers and party officials as peaceful, orderly transparent and credible, noting that the outcome reflected the will of party delegates and members across the constituency.

The primary election was conducted under the supervision of APC electoral officials who demonstrated true professionalism, with the official collation documents signed and dated May 16, 2026.

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