By Steve Oko

The Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, has charged 742 newly inducted engineers of the university to see their entry into the profession as a solemn responsibility to society, urging them to uphold integrity, diligence and the highest ethical standards in engineering practice.

Akanwa gave the charge at the 2026 Engineering Graduates Induction and Oath Taking Administration Ceremony of the university’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.

She described the administration of the professional oath as a critical transition from academic training to professional calling, reminding the inductees that their decisions and conduct as engineers would have consequences for communities, the nation and beyond.

“Today is not merely another ceremony, it is a moment of transition. It is a moment in which the academic journey culminates into professional calling,” she said.

The Vice-Chancellor urged the new engineers to deploy their knowledge responsibly to address societal challenges, while upholding professionalism, dignity and integrity as ambassadors of both the engineering profession and MOUAU.

She commended the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) for their roles in maintaining standards in engineering education and practice.

Speaking also, the Dean of the College, Engr. Prof. Bethrand Nduka Nwankwojike, charged the inductees to combine competence with character, describing the two as the pillars of responsible engineering practice.

Nwankwojike said the oath and lapel pin were not mere ceremonial symbols but a commitment to ethical conduct and professional responsibility. He urged the new engineers to become solution providers, ethical builders and innovative thinkers.

The Dean disclosed that the College’s research achievements include 16 patents and several national and international recognitions, urging the new engineers to embrace lifelong learning and use their expertise to engineer a sustainable future.

The keynote speaker, Engr. Tochukwu Clinton Chukwueke, Fellow and Founder/CEO of Clintonel Innovation Centre, called on government to provide the policies, infrastructure and enabling environment required for engineering to thrive in Nigeria.

Speaking on “Engineering, the Future of Nigeria: Innovation, Ethics and Governance,” Chukwueke urged the graduates to pursue excellence and deploy innovation to solve national challenges.

Representatives of the COREN President, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar; NSE President, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu; and COREN Registrar, Engr. Prof. O.A.U. Uche, similarly charged the inductees to practise with discipline, excellence and responsibility.

The COREN President was represented by the Chairman, South-East Technical Committee, Engr. Prince Ejikeme Mgbema; the NSE President by Engr. Chris Nwachukwu of the NSE Umuahia Branch, while the COREN Registrar was represented by the South-East Regional Officer, Engr. Peter Awunde.

Meanwhile, Ihekoronye ElPrince Chimeremeze of the Department of Computer Engineering, emerged the overall Best Graduating Student of the College.