The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to promoting professionalism in the Nigerian Extractive Industry by eliminating quackery in a sector that is acclaimed to be Nigeria’s huge source of wealth.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake made this known during the 13th Induction, Accreditation and Certificate presentation ceremony organized by Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers and Geoscientists, COMEG, in Abuja on Thursday.
Dr. Alake described the solid minerals sector as Nigeria’s huge source of wealth, and stressed on the need to ensure that only professionals are given operating license in the mining Industry.
A statement from the Ministry, signed by Mrs. Chinwe Ekwugah, quoted the minister as saying: “As from today, no Mining Engineer or Geoscientist will be recognized by the Ministry of Solid Minerals without COMEG registration. If you are not registered, you are quack and all reports that come into the ministry must carry the stamp of the COMEG registration.”
Alake emphatically declared: “the era in which the country relies on oil for its economic development is over. The present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to looking inward for economic diversification.
While congratulating the inductees, Dr Alake challenged them to always avail themselves the opportunity of learning, stressing, “You must not take your training for granted, because the country counts on you to bring back its lost glory.”
Welcoming the gathering, the Registrar, Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists, Prof. Zachaeus Opafunso, expressed delight over the induction, saying that only those who qualify are inducted.
According to the registrar, only Mining Engineers who have passed both written and oral examinations are inducted, adding that online examinations were also organized for members in diaspora.
In his goodwill message, the President Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Prof. A. S. Olatunji said the induction program represents another landmark recorded since the inception of the tenure of Prof Opafunso, noting that the exercise is to enhance professionalism for national development.
A highlight of the event was the symbolic presentation of COMEG Accreditation Certificate to the Vice Chancellor Al- hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Prof. Noah Yusuf by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake.
