Abuja: The Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE) has charged its newly inducted fellows to use their professional expertise to address Nigeria’s water and sanitation challenges and promote sustainable water supply. The National Chairman of NIWE, Mr. Joshua Sanga, emphasized the importance of this responsibility at the institution’s 13th fellowship conferment ceremony, describing the fellowship as the highest professional honor within the institution.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sanga highlighted that the conferment was not merely about titles but a recognition of excellence, dedication, and service to the nation through the water engineering profession. He urged the fellows to advocate for policies that would address Nigeria’s water and sanitation challenges and drive innovation in areas such as water supply, treatment, irrigation, flood control, and climate resilience.
Sanga called on the new fellows to partner with various levels of government to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which ensures clean water and sanitation for all. He emphasized that engineering should focus on people, communities, and the collective future, urging the fellows to uphold professional ethics and mentor younger water engineers.
Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, an engineer and Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), also addressed the ceremony. He urged engineers to focus on producing results and creating solutions to societal problems, particularly in resolving water supply issues. Kwankwaso noted that inadequate potable water supply remained a significant challenge for both professionals and politicians, especially in developing countries.
Kwankwaso highlighted that many cities, including Abuja, still lacked adequate water supply and called for concerted efforts to address this problem. He encouraged young professionals to take calculated risks in their careers and not rely solely on salaried employment.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Chinyere Igwebe, Chairman of the Board of Fellows of NIWE, noted that the fellowship ceremony included a lecture on ‘The Engineer’s Health Lifecycle: Mitigating the Impact of Menopause and Andropause on Professional Output.’ Igwebe stressed the importance of health and wellbeing among engineers, particularly as they advance in age.
Dr. Getrude Odezugo, the guest speaker, explained that menopause and andropause are natural aging stages involving significant hormonal changes, calling for lifestyle changes. Odezugo urged engineers to maintain their health with the same diligence they apply to engineering systems and highlighted the role of organizations in creating healthier workplaces. She emphasized the importance of midlife as a period where engineers could leverage their experience and leadership abilities for the benefit of younger generations.