We’ve to conquer security challenges with technology – Gidari-Wudal

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We’ve to conquer security challenges with technology – Gidari-Wudal

ABUJA- THE President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers,NSE, Engr Tasiu Gidari-Wudal, Thursday, said the possible way out to conquer insecurity is with technology.

Gidari-Wudal stated this during the NSE Bwari Branch 2023 Annual Public Lecture, with theme ‘National Security as a Panacea for a Sustainable Economic Growth: The role of Engineers’.

He also tasked engineers across the country to contribute towards economic growth by applying technology and logical thinking to solving the country’s security challenges.

He said: “A lot of people who are not in the security circle don’t really know the level of technology the security official and armed forces are using; if that is out now, I doubt if we are going to be secured.

“So the role of the engineer is very important in making sure that the security forces perform optimally. The significance of security cannot be over emphasised, as it is the security of defence of sovereign states, including the citizens, economy and institutions.

“It is regarded as the duty of the government to ensure its citizens are secured, knowing that national security impact the socio-economic growth of any nation, in fact, if there is no peace, there is no economic growth.

“Security is a concern to all, engineers has a great role to play concerning security as we are the drivers of technology and innovations.

“We therefore must apply technology and our logical thinking to solving our security challenges.”

Meanwhile, in a remark, the Chairman, NSE Bwari Branch, Engr Ismaila Ijirotimi, urges members to participate in politics to influence policy making in favour of engineering projects.

According to Ijirotimi, enginners’ participation and occupation of political offices at all levels will increase the budget for defence and enhance the security system in Nigeria.

“The theme for this year’s public lecture is apt in view of the sustaining attacks on our economy due to militancy and other forms of insurgency caused by armed groups, and sustainable economic development is hinged on the drivers of the economy.

“This sector has the capacity of becoming the key engine of our economic development that is the security sector because we all know that without security nothing can be achieved.

“The national headquarters of NSE has been asking their members to participate in politics, so that we would be able to influence policy making in favour of engineering projects.

“When you compare what the Nigerian government is budgeting for defence and you look at what China and US even South Africa, and some of this things you cannot do it alone, you have to be in politics, you have to carry out some of this things to ensure that you have enough money to be approved and allocated for security in the national budget and as a result of that we are encouraging our members to go into politics so that they can be able to influence”, he pointed.

However, he disclosed that, “The Nigerian Society of Engineers is partnering with the NUC to ensure that we have a stake in the curriculum of engineering in our university.

“At the branch level we are encouraging the study of engineering within our secondary schools by giving scholarship award to the best science student in four different secondary schools in Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

“These are some of the things that we are doing towards encouraging science education, particularly engineering education in the country and we know that once you catch them young they will be able to be the best amongst their folks in practice of engineering in the future.”

Also in a goodwill message, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General, AIG, Rudolph Obe, stressed that to effectively secure the nation, there should be locally developed crime-prevention gadgets, tools, equipment and facilities by the Nigerian engineers to tackle security challenges.

“As an important stakeholder in the security of the nation, I make bold to say that it is your duty to design, construct/fabricate and maintain security tools, gadgets, weapons, equipment and infrastructure.

“Such designs must, however, focus on complementing physical security policies of the Federal Government in addition to aiding its implementation by the security agencies.

“This will save the nation the foreign exchange expended on their continued importation. It will also enhance the economy of the country and provide jobs for the teaming unemployed youths among other benefits.

“You are hereby charged to rise up to this responsibility for the sustainable development of our nation,” Baba said.