The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has committed to promoting professionalism in the Nigerian Extractive Industry by checking and eliminating quackery in the sector.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr Oladele Alake made the commitment during the 13th Induction Ceremony and Accreditation and Certificate Presentation organised by the Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers And Geoscientists.
Dr Alake said: ”The solid mineral is Nigeria’s huge source of wealth, hence, the need to ensure that professionals only are given operating license in the mining Industry.
“As from today, no mining engineer or geoscientist will be recognised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals without COMEG registration. If you are not registered, you are a quack and all reports that come into the ministry must carry the stamp of the COMEG registration.”
According to a statement from the ministry, the Minister emphatically declared that the era in which the country relies on oil for its economic development is over.
“The present Administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to looking inward for economic diversification, hence the need to harness God’s given minerals to the country,” the Minister stressed.
While congratulating the Inductees, Dr Alake challenged them to always avail themselves the opportunity of constant 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 earlier , the Registar, Council Of Nigerian Mining Engineers And Geoscientists, Prof. Zachaeus Opafunso, expressed his happiness for another induction for the Mining Engineers who have passed both written and Oral examinations. He added that Online examinations were also organised for members in the Diaspora.
In his goodwill message, the President Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) Prof. A. S. Olatunji, who was represented by Prof. Shedrack, said the induction programme was another landmark recorded since the inception of the Registrar, noting that the exercise is to enhance professionalism for national growth.
The high point of the event was the symbolic presentation of the 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.
