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Building Collapse: Akpabio laments, tasks Engineers to adhere to codes, standards of practice
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.
President of he 10th Senate made this 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 it’s 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 involve 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 can not be overstated. Codes serves 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 well bring to 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 government have grate 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.
News
The Great Recalibration: How President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Is Restructuring Nigeria for a Stronger Tomorrow
By RT HON
CHINEDUM ENYINNAYA ORJI
“You cannot build a house for tomorrow on the weak foundation of yesterday. We must lay new blocks, even when the rain is falling.”— Adapted from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Three years into his presidency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has embarked on what may be the most deliberate economic and governance recalibration Nigeria has seen in a generation.
He came into office on May 29, 2023 with a clear declaration: “Fuel subsidy is gone.” In that single sentence, he signaled that the era of deferring hard choices had ended.
Restructuring, at its core, is about rearranging the house so it can stand longer and serve more people. For Nigeria, that meant confronting distortions that had weakened public finances, scared investors, and made planning impossible.
The first pillar of this restructuring is fiscal discipline. By removing the costly petrol subsidy and cutting electricity subsidies, the administration stopped the bleeding of trillions of naira that once vanished into opaque payments.
The results are already visible in the numbers. The fiscal deficit narrowed from 5.4 percent of GDP in 2023 to approximately 3 percent in 2024, while federation revenue rose from ₦16.8 trillion to ₦31.9 trillion.
That new revenue is not sitting idle. It is being channeled into roads, rails, power, and social programs that touch ordinary citizens directly. More than 2,700 kilometers of roads are under construction or rehabilitation nationwide.
The second pillar is monetary credibility. The unification of exchange rates and clearing of a $4 billion FX backlog restored confidence in the naira and in Nigeria’s commitment to market-based policies.
That credibility has produced tangible dividends. The stock market surged nearly fivefold to a record 250,000 points, market capitalization grew, and international rating agency Fitch upgraded Nigeria from B- to B in April 2025.
Foreign investors, who had stayed on the sidelines, are returning. New oil and gas investments are being announced, domestic refining capacity is rising, and fuel imports are falling, easing pressure on our foreign exchange.
The third pillar is sectoral transformation. Recognizing that oil alone cannot carry Nigeria’s future, President Tinubu approved a Presidential Petroleum Reform and Value Optimisation Taskforce to design the next phase of structural reforms in that sector.
The Taskforce is not another talking shop. It is a time-bound technical body charged with delivering execution-ready blueprints to unlock capital, improve transparency, and position Nigeria as a leading global energy investment destination.
Beyond oil, the February 2026 launch of the Nigeria Industrial Policy marks a decisive shift toward manufacturing, value addition, and job creation. The goal is a $1 trillion economy in five years, driven by inclusive and decentralized growth.
This is restructuring with a human face. Through NELFUND, millions of Nigerian students now have access to loans to stay in school. The CNG program is reducing transport costs and easing the burden of subsidy removal on households.
Governance itself is being rewired. The Renewed Hope Ward Development Plan is mapping economic potential across all 8,809 wards, ensuring that planning starts from the grassroots and moves upward to the state and federal levels.
Such decentralization matters. When wards have data, they have a voice. When local governments have more resources, service delivery improves. That is how accountability becomes real, not theoretical.
On security, the administration has intensified operations against banditry, insurgency, and criminal gangs. The link is clear: no investor builds factories where there is no peace, and no farmer feeds the nation where there is no safety.
A good example is the renewed engagement with Ogoni communities. By addressing historical grievances, the government is creating the conditions to restart oil exploration in a way that benefits both the people and the treasury.
Critics are right to point out the hardship. The cost-of-living squeeze has been severe, and inflation remains a challenge. But restructuring is not magic. It is medicine, and medicine often tastes bitter before it heals.
What distinguishes this moment is political will. Previous administrations discussed these reforms for decades. President Tinubu chose to act in the first week, knowing the political cost, because the economic cost of delay was higher.
The international community has noticed. The World Bank’s April 2026 Nigeria Development Update and the IMF’s 2025 Article IV Consultation both acknowledge significant progress in restoring macroeconomic stability.
More importantly, Nigerians are beginning to see the logic. A stable currency means businesses can plan. More revenue to states means more projects in communities. More transparency means fewer excuses.
The central test ahead is jobs. With 3.5 million Nigerians entering the labor force each year, the restructuring must now translate into employment-intensive growth. The industrial policy and infrastructure push are designed for exactly that.
This is not about one man or one party. It is about laying a foundation that no future government can afford to ignore. Institutions, rules, and incentives are being reset.
History will judge this period not by the pain of the transition, but by whether we used the pain to build something durable. The early signs suggest we are.
President Tinubu’s restructuring is far from complete, but it has already changed the trajectory. Nigeria is no longer drifting. It is recalibrating, with purpose, toward a future where our resources work for our people, and where governance finally matches our potential.
RT HON
Chinedum Enyinnaya orji
APC House of Representatives Candidate for Ikwuano Umuahia Fed. Constituency writes from Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku, Abia State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the demise of its Enugu State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Franklin O Agbakoba.
This is contained in a statement issued by FRSC Deputy Corps Commander in-charge of Enugu State Operations, DCC Kyrian C Okolo, on Friday in Enugu.
“FRSC Enugu State Sector Command received the sad news of the demise of CC Franklin Agbakoba on Thursday, July 30,2026.
“The late Sector Commander died at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu where he was receiving treatment.
“His corpse have been deposited at the Eastern Medical Center, Enugu,” he said.
Until his death,CC Franklin Agbakoba made inter-agency collaboration and partnership his legacy and promoted safer roads within Enugu State.
The family’s head, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, made the demand during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
He described his uncle as a visionary leader who was wrongly punished for a coup he had no role in.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalized Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that his uncle’s tenure as Head of State was brief and ended violently.
“He occupied the seat of head of state for only six months, and he was taken away from us.
“Not because of a sin he committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup.”
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death resulted from his position rather than any wrongdoing on his part.
“Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life,” he said.
He expressed hope that his appeal would reach those with the power to act on it.
“Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening to you tonight,” he said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 16 to July 29, 1966, taking charge in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup that had claimed the lives of the country’s political leadership.
He survived that coup and helped crush the mutiny, but his later decision to centralise power under Decree 34, along with his failure to prosecute the plotters, fuelled resentment among northern officers.
He was killed on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular said the order took immediate effect and formed part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.
The memorandum read, “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
It further directed all affected officers to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence and other official materials.
The memo stated, “Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
The memorandum added, “Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators could face disciplinary measures.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners
The Enugu State Government says it has intensified fight against quackery across all health professions, particularly in the laboratory practice within the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, revealed this on Friday while receiving the National President of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Enugu.
Ugwu decried the growing trend of unprofessional practices and establishments where laboratory services are combined with pharmacies, patient treatment areas, provision stores, and other unauthorised activities.
According to him, such practices are unacceptable and dangerous to public health.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate quackery especially in laboratory practices and operations through sustained monitoring, regulation and enforcement.
The commissioner also commended the association for its dedication to promoting excellence in medical laboratory science and public health advocacy.
He assured the team of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with professional bodies whose activities align with the government’s vision of delivering accessible, quality, and people-centred healthcare services across the state.
Ugwu stressed the remarkable strides recorded under the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah in transforming the health sector, including investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, primary healthcare revitalisation and improved service delivery.
He urged the association to remain steadfast in upholding professionalism and ethical standards, emphasising that stronger partnerships between government and healthcare professionals remained essential in building a healthier Enugu State.
Earlier, Ifeanyi, who made the visit with some members of his national executive and Enugu State Chapter of AMLSN, briefed the commissioner on the association’s forthcoming AMLSN Annual Public Health Lecture.
He solicited the state government’s goodwill, support and participation in the event, which would be held in Enugu.
“The annual lecture is aimed at advancing quality healthcare delivery, promoting public health awareness, and fostering stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and government institutions,” he said.
He noted that the association remained committed to improving professional standards and supporting initiatives that would enhance healthcare outcomes for residents of Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
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