Governor Zulum Assures Befitting NSE Conference

…Approves Enhanced Entry-Level for Engineers

By Abdullahi Alhassan

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has assured that the state will organise the best and most befitting 2026 National Conference of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), scheduled to begin on 1st December in Maiduguri.

Zulum made the pledge when he received the NSE President, Engr Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, and his delegation at the Council Chamber of Government House, Maiduguri.

The governor said the state government had constructed the Maiduguri International Conference Centre as part of its preparations to host the event and assured the delegation that the venue would be ready in time. “The conference will, inshallah, be one of the best held in Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking on the conference theme, “engineering, innovation for enhanced security, and sustainable national development”, Governor Zulum said it was particularly relevant to Borno after nearly two decades of security challenges.

He expressed hope that the conference would generate practical engineering solutions to help address insecurity in the state and the country as a whole.

The Governor directed his Chief of Staff to meet with the chairman and members of the Local Organising Committee to identify their needs. “I want to assure you that buses and financial support will be provided for the Society”, noting that the Spouses’ Forum would receive the support promised by the governor’s wife.

The governor said Borno had adopted the enhanced entry grade for engineers approved by the National Council on Establishments at its March 2018 meeting in Owerri. “Henceforth, the entry point for engineers into public service in Borno State will be grade level 9,” he said, adding that engineers would advance to Grade Level 10 after two years under the approved framework.

Zulum said his administration had given preference to local engineers on major infrastructure projects, commended the team of indigenous engineers for constructing the conference centre, the state teaching hospital recently inaugurated by the Vice President, roads, and other projects across the state.

The Governor also highlighted investments in road maintenance, including acquiring 100 trucks and installing a state-owned quarry plant with a capacity of 120 tonnes per hour. He added that the state had four asphalt plants and that local engineers had handled many of its road projects.