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Structural engineers harp on professional development, induct 20 new members

By Bertram Nwannekanma
25 January 2021   |   4:05 am
To be relevant in the ever-changing world, experts in the built environment have stressed the need for structural engineers to engage in continuous professional development.

Past President of NIStructE, Eddy Atumonyogo, (left), Yabatech Rector, Obafemi Omokungbe, Wife of the NIStructE President, Mrs, Olugbemisola Osifala, NIStructE President, Dr. Kehinde Osifala, Investiture Chairman, Prince Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), HRM Oba Oluwafemi Agunsoye and his wife.. at the investiture of Osifala as 20th president of NIStructE…in Lagos

To be relevant in the ever-changing world, experts in the built environment have stressed the need for structural engineers to engage in continuous professional development.

They spoke at the investiture of Dr. Kehinde Osifala as the 20th president of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NISTRUCTE), and induction of new members in Lagos.

Leading the call, President, West African Federation of Engineering Organisations, Otis Anyaeji, said the training should be compulsory to all practitioners in the country because of its benefit.

He said continuous professional development opens professional to new possibilities, new knowledge and new skill areas as well as leads to increased public confidence in individual professionals and their profession as a whole.

Anyaeji, who is a past president of the Institution, noted that the value of payment, which accrues to the practitioners, is enhanced by an amount proportional to the scarcity of the expertise, skill, or service.

Others like Mr. Olusegun Ladega, a fellow of Nigerian Institute of Architects, Kadiri Adeola, an engineer and Mr. Toyin Olorunleke, an accountant said continuous professional development helps advance the body of knowledge and technology within the sector.

According to them, a well crafted and delivered continuing professional development is important because it delivers benefits to the individual, their profession and the public.

“CPD ensures that you maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills you need to deliver a professional service to your customers, clients and the community,” they added.

Meanwhile, the President, Dr. Kehinde Osifala, who inducted 20 new members, urged them to specialise in their areas of competence to prevent structural failures in the country.

He said, “I want to reiterate the fact that engineers must be encouraged to practice in the area of their core competence.

“This is why the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria as a regulatory body must provide enabling environment by recognising and empowering the divisions using the COREN Act of 2019.”

According to him, presently, there is confusion as regards who should talk when structural failure/collapse occurred.

In the engineering family, he said, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers and the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers were jostling for prominence and relevance with each claiming authority.

He said the branch of civil engineering that studies, deals with and is responsible for structural behavior, including, collapse is the structural division.

The president said the launching of sustainable advocacy programme is targeted towards the federal, state and local governments, the regulatory agencies and the general public on what structural engineers do. He said the institute was committed to increasing awareness that would curb the menace of building collapse in the country.

Chairman of the event and Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, said continuous professional development is an avenue to update knowledge for any progressive minded professional who wants to continue to be relevant in his or her profession.

He urged the Institution to double this number in the coming year as structural engineers are needed in the design and supervision of engineering construction works to reduce structural defects.

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