Engineers, one of the seven major professionals in the built environment, have pledged to play vital role in shaping a sustainable future through Engineering.
They made this pledge on Tuesday to mark the World Engineering Day (WED) which is celebrated on March 4 of every year. It is a day recognized by United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Olukorede Kesha, chairman, Lagos Branch of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), disclosed that the World Federation of Engineering Organisations chose a theme for this year as ‘Shaping Our Sustainable Future Through Engineering’ which resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities of today.
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Kesha, in her goodwill message on this occasion, explained that “this theme is not merely a slogan, it is a call to action; a mandate for every engineer to embrace innovation, responsibility, and foresight in all our endeavours.”
Continuing, she said, “in Lagos, a vibrant and rapidly growing megacity, the imperative for sustainable development is more critical than ever. We face unique challenges, from managing our increasing population relative to not enough infrastructure and to mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensuring equitable access to resources. As engineers, we are at the forefront of addressing these challenges.”
Kesha urged the NSE Lagos branch members to embrace innovation as they have to champion cutting-edge technologies and solutions that promote resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the resilience of national infrastructure, adding that they must encourage and support younger engineers to be at the forefront of this innovation.
Engineers, he said, should prioritize sustainability as it has to be integrated into every aspect of theitr work, from design and construction to operation and maintenance. “We must adopt sustainable practices that minimize waste, conserve energy while protecting our environment,” she added.
The chairman advised that engineers must foster collaboration because engineering solutions require collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and communities. She advised further that engineers must forge strong partnerships with government, industries, academia, and civil societies to achieve their shared goals.
“Champion ethical p practice; as engineers, we hold a position of trust and responsibility. We must uphold the highest ethical standards in our work, ensuring that our solutions are safe, reliable, and beneficial to society.
Invest in education and capacity building because in order to meet the demands of a sustainable future, we must invest in the education and training of our engineers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex challenges,” she said.
She assured that the NSE Lagos Branch was committed to playing a leading role in shaping a sustainable future for the city and nation, adding that they will continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote sustainable engineering practices just as they will work tirelessly to empower their members to make positive impacts.
“Let us use this World Engineering Day as a catalyst for action, a moment to reaffirm our commitment to building a better future for all. Let us work together to ensure that the legacy we leave behind is one of innovation, sustainability, and progress,” she said.
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