The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, F.ASCE, FAEng, MFR, attended the 4th Charles Mbanefo Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, where he commended the organisers for sustaining the annual intellectual event and reaffirmed the vital role of science, ethics and engineering in national development.
Delivering his address at the event, Engr. Rabiu praised the Executive Committee and members of the Branch for their unwavering commitment to preserving the legacy of the late Engr. Charles Mbanefo through the annual memorial lecture series.
The NSE President described the memorial lecture as a significant event in the engineering calendar, noting that it continues to celebrate the remarkable contributions of the late Past President, Engr. Charles Mbanefo, whose life exemplified professionalism, integrity and visionary leadership.
According to him, Engr. Mbanefo was a true patriot and worthy ambassador of the engineering profession who believed firmly in professional excellence, ethical responsibility and the strategic role of engineers in nation-building.
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“This lecture series occupies a special place in our professional calendar because it reminds us of the towering example of our late revered Past President Engr. Mbanefo. He was a man who believed in professional excellence, ethical responsibility and the strategic role of Engineers in national development. His life remains an admirable testimony to commitment, competence and visionary service, and his memory deserves to be celebrated by all who cherish professionalism and nation-building,” he stated.
Speaking on the theme of the lecture, “Science and the Moral Foundation of Nation Building,” Engr. Rabiu described it as timely and highly relevant, stressing that sustainable development can only be achieved when scientific advancement is guided by strong ethical values.
He observed that while engineers are responsible for developing infrastructure and advancing technology, they also bear the responsibility of ensuring that innovation serves society with integrity, accountability and justice.
_”The theme of today’s lecture, ‘Science and the Moral Foundation of Nation Building,’ is profoundly relevant. It invites us to reflect on the indispensable relationship between scientific advancement, ethical leadership and sustainable national development.
“Notwithstanding the fact that we are builders of infrastructure and innovators of technology, we are equally custodians of values that ensure our innovations serve humanity with integrity, accountability and justice. Science, when anchored on sound moral principles, becomes an instrument for nation-building, fostering progress that is inclusive, sustainable and beneficial to all”, the NSE President said.
Engr. Rabiu also expressed profound appreciation to the Guest Lecturer, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, CON, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, for honouring the invitation despite his demanding schedule.
He noted that the engineering community looked forward to benefiting from the Bishop’s wealth of experience and perspectives on the critical relationship between science, morality and national development.
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