The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has urged Nigerians protesting against hunger to seek resolution through dialogue and consensus. COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, made this appeal while addressing journalists about the postponement of the 32nd Engineering Assembly, which was initially set for August 5-7, 2024.
The assembly has been rescheduled to September 2-4, 2024, due to the nationwide protests that began on August 1, 2024, under the hashtag #EndbadGovernance, in response to the rising cost of living and its impact on economic activities in some states.
Prof. Abubakar emphasized the importance of resolving differences through discussion, highlighting that COREN values its annual gathering of engineering professionals from both Nigeria and abroad to review performances. He noted that the decision to postpone the event was made in light of the ongoing protests.
He said, “So we are shifting the event for exactly one month; the venues and every other thing remains the same.
“It’s very important to do this so that we can put some respite to the anxieties. I’d like to declare that we are first and foremost Nigerians before we are engineering practitioners and so, under such circumstances, we need to join hands with our leaders as well as followers to ensure that normalcy returns in our dear country.
“In that wise, COREN is declaring, and informing everybody that our 32 Assembly is being shifted from 5-7 of August to 2-4 of September.
He continued, “I, on behalf of the management and all the engineering practitioners in this country, appeal to our brothers and sisters across the country to please listen to the word of wisdom; to please promote dialoguing and consensus on issues that bother our country in this very challenging time.
“The Engineering profession is focused on how to develop our country, how to enrich our democracy and how to improve governance in our nation. So, we are appealing to both sides to please put heads and wisdom in resolving this impasse. We wish our country, leaders and followers a peaceful resolution of this impasse,” he said.
