From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) at the weekend condemned the constitution of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying that it should be headed by an engineer.
Briefing newsmen to mark a World Engineering Day in Abuja, the president of NSE, Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, said that following the position of engineers on the headship of the electoral body, INEC has a frosty relationship with the society.
According to him, elections are now technology-based and so it requires an engineer to head the electoral body.
“Our relationship with INEC is not cordial. We are not even recognised by INEC. In fact, the person who is supposed to head INEC should be an engineer. This is because 70 per cent of the operations of INEC is logistics.
“Election now is technology-based. So, if you’re going to bring a professor of political science or history to head the place, most of the places will be missed out.
“The government should solve the problem by putting square pegs in square holes. There are over 40 fields of engineering in almost everything we do. If we want good things to happen, put the right people.
“The incoming government should be mindful of this if they want to develop this country. At the onset, let them put the right persons in the right places. We are not saying that you should put us where we don’t have competence. Put us where we have competence” he noted.
According to the president, the key objectives of World Engineering Day (WED) include: to create awareness about World Engineering Day as an important international day for achieving sustainable development by governments, civil society, industry, and the public.
Also, it’s to increase awareness of engineering, its impact on modern life, and to advance the United Nations (UNs) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as to highlight the achievements of engineers and the essential role of engineers in promoting sustainable development.
It is equally expected, he noted, to encourage more young people, especially girls and women, to consider engineering as a career.