The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to fostering professionalism in Nigeria’s extractive industry by actively addressing and eliminating quackery within this critical sector, recognised as a significant source of wealth for Nigeria.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, underscored this commitment during the 13th Induction Ceremony and Accreditation Certificate Presentation organised by the Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers and Geoscientists.
Alake emphasised the pivotal role of the solid mineral sector in Nigeria’s economic landscape, stating, “The solid mineral is Nigeria’s vast source of wealth; hence, the need to ensure that only professionals are granted operating licenses in the mining industry”.
Effective immediately, the minister declared, “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 submitted to the ministry must bear the stamp of COMEG registration”.
Addressing the audience at the induction ceremony, the minister emphatically declared the end of an era where the country relied solely on oil for economic development. He emphasised the commitment of the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu to diversify the economy by harnessing the country’s God-given mineral resources.
While congratulating the inductees, Alake challenged them to continually seek learning opportunities, stating, “You must not take your training for granted because the country relies on you to bring back its lost glory”.
The registrar of the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists, Prof. Zachaeus Opafunso expressed his satisfaction with another successful induction for mining engineers who have passed both written and oral examinations. He highlighted that online examinations were also organised for members in the diaspora.
In a goodwill message, the president of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Prof. A. S. Olatunji represented by Prof. Shedrack, emphasised that the induction programme marked another milestone in enhancing professionalism within the domain for national growth.
The event’s highlights included the symbolic presentation of the COMEG accreditation certificate to Prof. Noah Yusuf, the vice-chancellor of Al-hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake.
