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COREN’s 32nd assembly to address incessant infrastructure failure-President
Sadiq Abubakar, President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), says its 32nd COREN Engineering Assembly is poised to address the incessant engineering infrastructure failure in Nigeria
Abubakar made this this known yesterday in Abuja ,while briefing journalists on the 32nd COREN Engineering Assembly scheduled to hold on Aug.5 to Aug. 7 in Abuja.
He said that the Assembly with the theme, “Regulating Engineering Profession for Shared Prosperity in Nigeria “would have President Bola Tinubu, as the Special Guest of Honour.
He said COREN created new departments and united as part of efforts to decentralise its operations, ensure effective engagement at the grassroots and promote sanity in the practice of engineering for a more positive impacts in Nigeria.
“Attendance at the Assembly is compulsory for all registered engineering practitioners and a requirement for the renewal of practicing licence for both individual and firms to minimise quackery responsible for the incessant engineering infrastructural failures.
“In response to the call on COREN to rise to the occasion to check the incessant failures of engineering infrastructure, especially building collapse across the country.
“The Minister of Works and the Chief Host of the COREN event, David Umahi, will inaugurate National Technical Committee to drive the Engineering Regulations Monitoring (ERME) at national level similar to the existing practice at regional and state levels.
“The ERME inspectors are to be supported by Engineering Intelligence and Surveillance (EIS) Task Force and EIS Whistle Blowers operating at national, regional and state levels”.
Abubakar said that the on-going COREN restructuring, and reforms were in line with the roadmap endorsed at the 31st Engineering Assembly held in 2023 for more effective and efficient operations.
He added that the improvement was also expected to advance, foster and strengthen existing partnerships and collaborations.
He said that to support these noble changes, Engineers Registration among others and Amendment Act No. 3, 2018 have been harmonised into a single document for easy reference and citation.
Abubakar said that eight new regulations were approved and gazette, which brought the number to over 30.
“These are veritable instruments that facilitate effective monitoring, enforcement, sanction and prosecution of quacks, offenders, among others,’’he said
Abubakar said the assembly would also have a session to guide Nigeria to prepare its submission and application for admission into Sydney and Dublin Accords for engineering technologists, technicians, craftsmen and artisans, respectively.
He said these associations would aid Nigerian practitioners to be recognised globally and they would be able export their skills internationally.
“This is similar to the historic admission of Nigeria into Washington Accord in 2023 at Taiwan.
“Engineering Professional Associations, Universities, Polytechnics, Technical Colleges, NSC, NUC, NBTE, ITF, among others will participate in line with their mandate and assigned roles.
“This is to ensure Nigeria once again join the League of Nations in these Engineering global bodies under IEA,’’he said
Abubakar said that COREN was ever ready to improve its performance in regulating engineering education and training of practitioners.
He said this was to ensure that their practices were in line with the global standards to safeguard lives and property and ensure the prevention of the failures engineering infrastructure.
He, however, said that the council needed funding to be able to carry out its regulatory mandate.
“Thus, the council is appealing to the Federal Government to continue to fund COREN similar to its peers in the health sector.
“It is our hope and prayer that the government would reconsider its position to return the Council into funding regime for the benefit of the citizenry and the nation,’’he appealed.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.