The Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE) has urged its newly inducted fellows to leverage their expertise to address Nigeria’s water and sanitation issues and promote sustainable water supply.
During the 13th fellowship conferment ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, National Chairman Mr. Joshua Sanga emphasized that fellowship is the highest professional honor, recognizing excellence, dedication, and service to the nation through water engineering.
Sanga urged the fellows to advocate for policies that address water and sanitation challenges, drive innovation in water supply, treatment, irrigation, flood control, and climate resilience, and partner with government at all levels to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) — clean water and sanitation for all.
He reminded everyone that engineering is about people, communities, and our collective future, not just design and pipes.
Sanga congratulated the new fellows and called on them to uphold ethics, mentor younger engineers, and serve as NIWE ambassadors.
Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, an engineer and Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), urged engineers to focus on results and solutions, especially in water supply. He highlighted inadequate potable water as a major challenge globally, noting that many cities, especially in developing countries, still lack sufficient water.
Kwankwaso pointed out that even Abuja has not yet achieved adequate water supply and called for concerted efforts. He advised young professionals to be confident, take calculated career risks, and not rely solely on salaried employment.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Chinyere Igwebe, Chair of NIWE’s Board of Fellows, announced that the ceremony included a lecture titled, “The Engineer’s Health Lifecycle: Mitigating Menopause and Andropause Impact on Professional Output.”
Igwebe emphasized the importance of health and wellbeing among aging engineers, warning that neglecting health could prevent professionals from enjoying their achievements. She urged engineers to prioritize their physical and mental health.
Dr. Getrude Odezugo, the guest speaker, explained that menopause and andropause are natural aging stages involving hormonal changes, calling for lifestyle adjustments. She stressed that maintaining health is crucial for engineers to sustain their performance and contribute effectively to water resource management.
Odezugo noted that organizations also have a role in fostering healthier workplaces and emphasized that midlife is a vital period where experienced professionals can mentor younger generations.
