The Executive Director of Projects on the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Olorogun (Dr.) Ebenezer Okorodudu has urged members of the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) to overcome the challenges preventing them from becoming COREN-certified.
He made this call today during a meeting with NATE members at the Commission’s headquarters. Olorogun Okorodudu commended the representatives for expressing concerns on behalf of their members, stressing that individuals should strive to overcome limitations rather than accept them.
“I feel elated when people come out to express pains that are not limited to their personal interests. You are here to foster the interest of your profession and association. Anyone reaching out to find solutions to challenges concerning their professional bodies must be highly commended.
“One of the common experiences I have gathered from the ongoing interview panel borders on the issue of engineers and technicians who do not have certain certifications. Once you lack certifications, you face limitations on the level of your promotion. I find it funny that some people accept these restrictions without striving to overcome them.
“If you belong to the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) or NATE and do not have certain certifications, why not strive to obtain them? Do not let limitations define you. Strive for excellence and never give up,” Okorodudu advised.
The EDP further encouraged NATE members to put their concerns in writing to the Managing Director/CEO of the Commission, Chief Festus Ochonogor, and copy his office so he could lend support to their cause during Management and Board meetings.
Earlier, the Chairman of NATE, Warri Chapter, Engr Ovabor Okpakowodo, MNATE, had appealed for sponsorship of NATE members to attend assemblies and conferences. He also urged contractors handling DESOPADEC projects to employ certified engineers who are members of professional bodies.
“NATE is a professional body of practising engineers affiliated with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), with the major aim of promoting professional excellence among engineers, technologists, technicians, and craftsmen.
“The welfare of NATE members who are staff of this Commission has brought us here, among other concerns. We appeal that our members be considered and sponsored by the Commission for NATE assemblies and conferences. We also request that contractors handling DESOPADEC projects should have as part of their teams certified engineers of these professional bodies,” he said.
Other NATE members present echoed the chairman’s concerns, noting that DESOPADEC’s sponsorship of engineering conferences and seminars had been limited to COREN-certified individuals. They appealed for inclusion of NATE members, stressing the professional benefits, even post-retirement.
Those present at the meeting included TGST Abel Agusa, TGST Fole O. Abel, Engr Joseph I. Okhakumen, Engr Tech. Tosanwumi Silas Dorton, Engr Sagay Blessing, Engr Lucky Ejovwke Barrack, Odili O. Kenneth, and Mr Festus Ifovwodo, Head of the Department of Utility. Others were Engr Elliott Olokor, Head of the Department of Project Monitoring and Evaluation; Q.S. Oyimi Williams, Head of the Department of Works; Engr Tony Okuwe, Executive Assistant to the EDP; Engr Matthew Onokpasa, Special Assistant to the EDP; and Engr Collins Okorodudu, Technical Assistant to the EDP.
