President Muhammadu Buhari was today, November 29, 2016, decorated as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Academy of Engineers at the State Housein Abuja.

Among the dignitaries at the investiture ceremony were the President of Nigerian Academy of Engineers, Engr (Mrs) Joanna Maduka MFR, Technical Secretary of Nigerian Academy of Engineers, Engr. I.K. Inuwa, Vice President of the academy, Engr. Prof. Fola Lasisi and Past President Engr. Dr. E.J. Amana.

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Speaking at the ceremony, President Buhari said the well-trained and highly experienced engineers had contributed immensely to the infrastructural development of Nigeria, and they remain indispensable.

The President added that both military and civilian administrations over the years depended on Nigerian engineers for designs and constructions across the country.

He noted that local engineers contributed more than 90 percent to the design and realization of two refineries, 2,500 pipelines and 20 depots in the country during his tenure as Minister of Petroleum in the mid-1970s, adding that the success of the Petroleum Trust Fund was largely hinged on their skills.

President Buhari said individual political leaders should be blamed for Nigeria’s ailing infrastructure, not the engineers who had always been willing to contribute to national development.

In her remarks, the President of the NAE, Mrs. Maduka, said science, technology and innovation were the key drivers of growth across the globe, urging the Federal Government to explore and engage the multiple engineering talents in the country for more purposeful results.

She also commended the anti-corruption fight of the Federal Government, saying it would turn around the fortunes of the economy.