Agency Report
By Ikenna Uwadileke
Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), on Friday paid tribute to the 21st President of the society who died at the age of 81.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the society held a dinner in Abuja to eulogise Mbanefo.
The President of NSE, Mr Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, said that Mbanefo would be remembered for his contributions to the development of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through his legendary engineering prowess.
Mbanefo who was also the pioneer president of NSE, Abuja Chapter died on Oct. 27 in Abuja.
Upon his return to Nigeria from Canada, Mbanefo joined the service of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as a principal engineer in 1982.
During his working career, Mbanefo was in charge of design.
He did the vetting and approval of structural drawings and supervised the construction of some major districts and monumental edifices in the FCT.
They include the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, the National Secretariat and the National Mosque.
Others are the National Stadium, Transcorp Hilton, International Conference Centre, Garki 11 and Jabi districts.
Gidari-Wudil described Mbanefo as an epitome of humanity and a father to all.
“He was always meeting us at personal and family level. He was full of wisdom and never short of advice,’’ he said
“Engr. Mbanefo was loved by all for his strong benevolent spirit. He will be missed by all of us,’’ he said.
Similarly, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) described him as thoughtful, intellectual, bold and strong.
According to Mr Ali Rabiu, President and Chairman of Council, COREN, Mbanefo contributed immensely to the development of his profession and community.
“He was a hard working person, who directed his energy to serving God and the interest of humanity.
“`His believe in helping family and community was strengthened by his desire to serve selflessly.
“He had to his credit mentored a lot of professionals in engineering,’’ Rabiu said.
Chief James Agubalu, on behalf of Anambra State Town Planners Association, described Mbanefo as a man who promoted his culture and educated people to appreciate other peoples’ culture.
Mr Christopher Chigboh, former Transport Secretary, FCDA, expressed sadness over the death of the pioneer Chairman of NSE, Abuja Chapter.
Chigboh, in his tribute titled “A great man and a mentor’’, commiserated with NSE over the death of the structural engineer.
According to him, Mbanefo lived a purposeful life in the service of humanity and his leadership qualities in the engineering sector were extraordinary and worthy of emulation.
Chigboh said: “Mbanefo was a great man, a mentor and a thorough breed engineer.
“This tribute is very difficult for me, my heart is heavy. The thought of not seeing you again hurts me a lot.
“This is especially when I remember how we met in 1982 and worked together all the way.
“Among other things, you will be remembered for setting up the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Abuja Branch in 1984 wherein you became the pioneer chairman while I served as the aecretary.
“Mbanefo also led the team that designed the Mabuchi Ministerial Complex and in that team I was the coordinator.
“It did not end there, as a structural engineer, he played a major role in the building of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Church, Garki and the Holy Family Catholic Church, Life Camp, Abuja.
“These contributions were indelible and reflected Mbanefo’s qualities as a thorough breed, grounded and an excellent engineer,’’ Chigboh said.
He further described the deceased as a man who was looked upon while handling some of the projects in Abuja.
“I will not fail to recall that Mbanefo’s purpose of establishing the NSE, Abuja chapter, then was to secure more inputs from local nationals.
“He was indeed a role model and we celebrate him for a fulfilled life.
“Mbanefo remains in our hearts as we say goodbye and may God graciously grant him eternal rest in his bosom,’’ Chigbo said. (NAN)
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UI graduates now accepted at NYSC Orientation Camps- official
The management of the University of Ibadan (UI) says it has taken action to resolve the challenges its graduates are facing with registration at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Saturday, Mrs Joke Akinpelu, the Principal Assistant Registrar, Public Communications, UI, said that graduates of the institution were now being registered in camp.
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“UI is already doing what the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) requires of it and the prospective corps members from the institution are now being accepted in camp,” Akinpelu said.
NAN recalled that some few days ago, graduates of some universities including UI and University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) who reported to the NYSC orientation camps across the country were not registered by officials.
The prospective corps members were disallowed from registering in camp because their institutions; failed to comply with the NYSC format prescribed for their list to be sent to it, according to reports.
Some prospective corps members, who had reported to camp as early as Nov. 2, to begin the Batch C Orientation programme, recounted their harrowing experience including being denied food tickets to feed at the dining halls in camp.
A circular dated Nov. 7, 2022 and signed by the Director, Corps Mobilisation, Isa Walida Siddique, titled, ‘Prospective Corps Members With Incomplete Data For Camp Registration,’ stated that all institutions had been duly notified of the requirements acceptable by the NYSC.
‘‘However, it is unfortunate that a few Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs) are yet to comply with the resolution, thereby making the registration of Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) very problematic.
“It goes without saying that lack of harmonisation of data both on the portal and on hardcopies can alter the mobilisation status of PCMs, hence the zero tolerance of the Management towards the few CPIs that still indulge in it.
"In view of the foregoing, you are kindly requested to advise all PCMs awaiting registration to go back to their institutions to rectify their respective challenges,’’ the circular partly read.
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