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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.
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.
…Inaugurates Amufie Town Union executives
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government has urged Town Union President Generals (PGs) across the state to adopt inclusive leadership that promotes peace, unity and sustainable development in their communities.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Chief Charles Egumgbe, gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly elected 14-member executives of the Amufie Town Union in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
The executive committee, led by the President-General, Engr. Kenneth Okechukwu Ogili, was presented with certificates of return at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
Egumgbe urged the new leadership to ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with members, stressing that women and youths must be carried along in decision-making.
He advised the executives against operating exclusive caucuses, noting that town union affairs should be conducted openly through regular meetings where decisions are collectively taken.
“You must carry everybody along. Let your policies be all-inclusive and ensure that members are well informed about your activities. Matters should be tabled before the executive and decisions reached collectively,” he said.
The commissioner warned against abuse of office, particularly in matters relating to community land, stressing that anyone found working against the interest of the community could be removed under the state’s Town Union law.
“I don’t know whether you will receive remuneration because this is service to humanity. But whatever you do, don’t sell community land illegally. Land has a way of fighting for itself,” he cautioned.
Responding, the new inaugurated President-General, Ogili, pledged to lead with transparency and work closely with his executive to promote peace, unity and development in Amufie.
He said the administration would prioritise security by strengthening the neighbourhood watch and collaborating with security agencies to flush out criminals from identified flashpoints.
Ogili also promised to maintain a cordial working relationship with the traditional ruler of the community.
“The Igwe is our father. We have different constitutional roles, and there will be no conflict between us. We shall work harmoniously for the peace and progress of Amufie,” he said.
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