News
Collapsed buildings: Akpabio calls for the intervention of Nigerian Society of Engineers
Nigeria President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has called on the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, to adhere to the codes and standard guiding the profession.
He made the call in Enugu during the 60th anniversary of NSE Enugu State chapter, with a theme; “the enforcement of Engineering materials standard and codes for sustainable development” the role of the state government and its agencies.
Akpabio represented by Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede confidently raised hope on Engineering codes and standard, saying, “our physical space in the country, our infrastructural investment and investment will be in a better state and frame with the observant of Engineering codes and standard.
He lamented the unfortunate failure of roads, dams and collapses of buildings across the country blaming it on substandard of building materials and inadequate knowledge of the person utilising the materials.
“Codes and standard are to the work practice direction, procedures and roles to lawyers in dispensation of duties to their clients. You know that at all times a lawyer is a minister in the temple of Justice and it’s to justice that first gives life even before the specific need of his client.
“A lawyer cannot be involved in dishonesty practices or unethical means to assist his client. To do so is to risk disbarment. With this background and to my understanding of the role of Engineers to the society. I can confidently come to conclusions that our physical space in the country, our infrastructural investment and investment will be in a better state and frame with the observant of Engineering codes and standard.
“In a developing country like Nigeria, the importance of Engineering codes cannot be overstated. Codes serve as a foundation upon which our infrastructure is built, providing guidelines for design, construction and maintenance.
“They’re the safe guard to protect our citizens, economy and environment. Our country will suffer few outages, our dam will not burst, roads will not fail and our houses will not collapse if codes and standard are properly observed. We are all witness to the unfortunate failure and collapses in the country, Onitsha, Abuja, Awka Lagos, Enugu and even in Jos. It’s a pity.
“Many of these failure and collapses are equitable to the substandard of building materials but also equitable to the inadequate knowledge of the person utilising the materials. The failure of road pavement may not be as vivid and dramatic as that of houses and there is no feterlity that can be immediately and directly attributed to such failure; but they are no less catastrophic to the economy, the lives of the people and of the nation,” he said.
He enjoined the state government to enforce the engineering code and standard, urging them to use professionals in the field to carry out the duty.
“Upon this the state governments have great responsibility on this regard for the enforcement of these codes and standard but like a legal profession which enforces discipline at adherence of his own practice directives through the disciplinary committee of Nigeria bar association.
“Enforcement of Engineering codes and standard in the building and engineering sector must also be related to and carried out to professionals in that profession. So while the various state agencies perform their duty in ensuring that the standard of materials attain the specific standard,” he said.
Earlier, the Enugu state chairman of NSE, Engr. Chigbo Chukwuemeka Obealor disclosed that NSE is a professional body committed towards collaborating with, influencing and providing quality advice to the various arms of government, industry, commerce, academia and the society for the purpose of uplifting the country technologically through research and innovations.
Obealor, appealed to the Enugu State government to consider the provision of an Advanced Engineering in the state, noting that engineers are trained as professionals to solve various engineering challenges in time and space.
He acknowledged the labours of their pioneer leaders who laid the sold foundation of NSE Enugu branch and all those who continued from it with the uncommon zeal and relentless pursuit of excellence in the engineering profession.
He however made a passionate appeal for assistance to their leaders for a Land to develop Branch Engineering Centre, provision of 14 seat Commuter Bus, provision of Drones for enhanced security project and One off scholarship programme for indigent students as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
“We want to seize this opportunity to call on the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria and Nigerian Communication Commission on the abandoned Enugu Centre Digital Bridge Institute, which was completed about 10 years ago, and was never put into use by the government.
“The multibillion facilibes at the digital bridge institute are wasting along Enugu Nike Ugwogo road. We hereby convey our interest to effectively manage the Digital Bridge Institute for the training and manpower development. This request is in good faith and to bring to realistic end, the vision of the institute,” he appealed.
The National President of NSE, Engr. Aina Margaret Oguntala commended the Enugu State branch for their contribution to the National body, adding that the successive leadership of Enugu branch has done well and today’s event is building on the already achievement of previous leaders.
Oguntala represented by Engr. Edith Ishidi charged NSE, Enugu branch to continue to build Dr ⁴² on a standard and sustainability development to ensure a thriving innovation in Nigeria, appealing with the Legislature to make law that would create enabling environment for engineers to continue building the nation that would never fail.
Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mbah represented by the state Commissioner for works. Engr. Gerald Otiji, called on the NSE to checkmate and ensure members embark on standard work to tackle failure of roads and building collapses.
He disclosed that Enugu State government is not leaving any stone unturned to make sure that no substandard work is being done in the state.
In a Goodwill message, the assistant Technical secretary of the branch and the planning committee chairman of the 60th anniversary, Engr. Chijioke Onyike called for a renewed commitment to Excellency, innovation and collaboration for a better future.
“As we reflect on the past 60 years to achievements and look ahead to the future, let us renew our commitment to excellency innovation and collaboration.
“Together we can continue to make significant contributions to the Nigerian Society of Engineers and also inspire the engineers of tomorrow Once again thank you all for being a part of this joyous occasions. Your presence has made this celebration truly unforgettable,” he said.
The highlight of the event was presentation of Diamond award of excellence to some dignitaries.
The Methodist Church Nigeria has honoured the General Manager of the Enugu State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Hon. Monday Diamond Ani, with the prestigious “Apostle of Faith Award” in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian services and contributions to community development.
The award was presented by the Methodist Diocese of Akegbe, Aninri and Awgu Archdiocese (AAA) under the leadership of Rt. Rev. C. Orji, the Methodist Bishop of AAA Diocese, Enugu.
According to the Church, the honour was bestowed on Hon. Ani in acknowledgment of his selfless commitment to community development, social welfare, and humanitarian service over the years. The Church noted that his contributions have transcended political considerations and have positively impacted countless lives across communities.
His consistent humanitarian interventions have earned him the popular title “Odoziobodo”, meaning “one who builds and restores communities.”
Hon. Ani is widely regarded as a passionate advocate for community service, driven by a desire to improve living standards and promote love, unity, and a sense of
belonging among the people. His dedication reflects Christ’s teaching on the greatest commandment—love for God and love for one’s neighbour—placing service to humanity at the centre of purposeful living.
Due to his unavoidable absence, the award was received on his behalf and later presented to him at his office by Dr. Okechukwu Animba, Vice President (South-East) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
Responding to the honour, Hon. Ani expressed profound gratitude to Rt. Rev. C. Orji and the entire Methodist Diocese for recognising his humanitarian efforts. He prayed for God’s continued grace and strength to serve humanity and touch more lives through his work.
He also appreciated his principal, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, for appointing him to lead the CSDA, an agency charged with driving community interventions and sustainable development across the state.
When the Enugu State House of Assembly adopted the report of its Special Committee on Land Matters and Disputes in 2024, many observers described it as a watershed moment in the long-running controversy surrounding the Centenary City land in Amechi and Obeagu communities.
The report attracted national attention because it tackled a dispute that had generated numerous court cases, allegations of intimidation, destruction of property, community unrest, and claims involving some of the most influential figures in the state.
For many residents of Amechi and Obeagu, the Assembly’s intervention provided the first official platform where their grievances appeared to receive impartial consideration. The committee’s findings were widely commended for their detailed examination of the circumstances surrounding the acquisition and development of over 1,097 hectares of ancestral land.
At the heart of the controversy was the allegation that Private Estates International West Africa Limited (PEIWA), operating under a development agreement with the Enugu State Government, relied on questionable documents to assert rights over vast portions of land originally linked to a proposed university project initiated during the administration of former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Jim Nwobodo.
After reviewing submissions from the parties, the Assembly committee identified several inconsistencies in documents connected with the acquisition process. Among its findings were concerns regarding the authenticity of a survey plan purportedly prepared for the “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” in 1985, despite the fact that Enugu State had not yet been created at that time.
Controversial Enugu Centenary Land: A Daniel Has Come To Judgement
The committee also questioned the authenticity of signatures and official endorsements appearing on key documents, including survey records, gazette notices, and correspondences allegedly executed on behalf of traditional authorities in Amechi and Obeagu communities.
Based on these findings, the committee concluded that the host communities had established that they were not properly carried along in the acquisition process and recommended dialogue, compensation, government intervention, and a comprehensive audit of lands developed under the Centenary City project.
At the time, many hailed the report as evidence that the legislature was willing to confront powerful interests in defence of justice and accountability.
Two years later, events appear to have given fresh significance to those findings.
Today, Kingsley Eze, Chamberlin Mbachu and Private Estates International (W.A.) Limited are facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court, Enugu, in connection with the alleged forgery of a survey plan linked to the disputed acquisition of ancestral lands in Amechi and Obeagu communities.
According to the charge sheet in Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/84/2025, the defendants are accused of conspiring to forge a survey plan titled “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” purportedly dated 1985.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants knowingly made or uttered the survey plan as a genuine document despite its alleged falsity. The offences are said to be punishable under relevant provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The criminal charges have drawn renewed attention to the conclusions reached by the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2024, particularly its observations regarding inconsistencies surrounding the same survey plan and related acquisition documents.
The developments have also prompted further advocacy from civil society organisations. The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Police Monitoring Unit to take over investigations and prosecutions connected with the dispute, investigate allegations of misconduct against certain police officers, and review criminal proceedings allegedly used for harassment and intimidation.
In a separate petition dated May 28, 2026, RULAAC also urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in two criminal cases pending before the Federal High Court, Enugu, citing repeated failures by law enforcement authorities to produce defendants for arraignment.
The cases include Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/84/2025, IGP v. Kingsley Eze & 2 Others, and Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/222/2024, IGP v. Alex Ifeadi & 2 Others.
As the criminal proceedings continue, many observers believe the matter has entered a decisive phase. The allegations that were once the subject of community petitions, legislative inquiries and public debate are now before a court of law for determination.
Whether the Assembly’s 2024 report marked the beginning of accountability or merely one chapter in a much longer struggle remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the issues raised by the Amechi and Obeagu communities have not faded away. Instead, they have evolved into a legal test that could shape public confidence in land administration, governance and the rule of law in Enugu State for years to come.
If the legislative findings, criminal investigations and court proceedings ultimately converge on the truth, then many residents may indeed conclude that, at long last, a Daniel has come to judgment.
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
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