By Henry Ojelu

Obajana, Kogi State — The Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Engr. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe, has called on engineers to embrace innovation and digital transformation as critical tools for sustainable development.

He made the call on Tuesday while joining members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Obajana Branch, to commemorate the 2026 World Engineering Day celebration held in Obajana.

The event, themed “Smart Engineering for a Sustainable Future through Innovation and Digitalization,” brought together engineering professionals, industry stakeholders and guests to reflect on the evolving role of engineering in addressing global and local challenges.

As part of the activities marking the day, participants toured the Dangote Cement Plant in Obajana, one of Africa’s largest cement manufacturing facilities. The guided tour exposed attendees to modern production systems, automation processes and digital technologies driving efficiency in large-scale industrial operations.

Speaking at the event, Anyebe described engineering as a profession whose impact is often underappreciated despite its central role in economic growth and infrastructure development.

“Engineering is no longer limited to physical structures. It is about intelligent systems, cleaner energy solutions, digital tools and sustainable practices that secure the future for the next generation,” he said.

He noted that rapid technological advancement and environmental concerns demand smarter, data-driven solutions capable of balancing development with sustainability.

The commissioner, who is also a professional engineer, emphasized the need for young people in Kogi State to position themselves within the evolving global technology space. According to him, innovation, digital competence and ethical responsibility must define the next generation of engineers.

He further commended the NSE Obajana Branch for sustaining professional standards and creating platforms that encourage knowledge-sharing and industry collaboration.

Stakeholders at the event highlighted the importance of digitalization in modern engineering practice, stressing that emerging technologies are reshaping manufacturing, energy management and infrastructure planning.

World Engineering Day is celebrated globally to recognize the contributions of engineers to national development and to promote engineering as a career path for young people.

The Obajana celebration ended with renewed calls for collaboration between government, professional bodies and private sector players to ensure that innovation-driven engineering remains at the heart of Kogi State’s development agenda.