By Julius Peter, Abuja
Engr. Mohammed Gambomi Marte, member representing Marte Constituency in the Borno State House of Assembly, has called on Nigerian engineers to embrace patriotism, promote local innovation and develop homegrown solutions to the country’s technological and infrastructural challenges.
Marte said Nigeria had a pool of talented engineers capable of designing, developing and producing solutions to many of the country’s problems, stressing that the nation should not depend excessively on foreign countries for engineering products, technologies and expertise that could be developed locally.
He urged engineers across the country to take greater responsibility for national development by deploying their professional knowledge, skills and creativity to advance technological innovation, strengthen national security and promote sustainable economic growth.
The lawmaker made the call during an interview with journalists in Abuja at the 39th International Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
The conference was held under the theme, “Mechanical Engineers as Catalysts of Innovation for Enhanced Security and Sustainable National Development.”
According to Marte, the theme underscored the critical role engineers must play in addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges through indigenous technology, innovation and professional commitment.
He said the country possessed the human resources and technical expertise required to achieve significant progress if Nigerian professionals were adequately encouraged to apply their knowledge to local challenges.
“Not everything should be brought from outside the country. There are many things we can do by ourselves here in Nigeria,” he said.
He called on Nigerian engineers to be patriotic and demonstrate a strong commitment to the country’s progress, adding that professional excellence must be accompanied by a genuine desire to see Nigeria succeed.
Marte urged engineers to put the country’s interests at heart and contribute meaningfully to its advancement, insisting that national development would be difficult to achieve if the country continued to rely heavily on foreign solutions.
He also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between experienced engineers, young professionals, government institutions and the private sector to promote indigenous research, technological advancement and industrial development.
The Borno lawmaker particularly urged young engineers attending the conference to take advantage of the gathering to learn from experienced professionals and acquire practical knowledge that would improve their competence.
He noted that professional conferences provided valuable opportunities for knowledge-sharing, mentorship, networking and exposure to emerging technologies and industry best practices.
According to him, young engineers must go beyond attending conferences and collecting certificates by ensuring that the knowledge acquired is translated into practical solutions that address the country’s needs.
He encouraged them to remain hardworking, disciplined and committed to continuous learning, noting that the future of Nigeria’s engineering profession depended largely on the ability of younger professionals to build on the achievements of their predecessors.
Marte said the interaction between senior and younger engineers would help strengthen the profession and ensure that valuable experience was transferred to the next generation.
He maintained that Nigeria needed engineers who could think creatively, develop practical solutions and contribute to the growth of critical sectors, including manufacturing, construction, transportation, energy and security.
The lawmaker further emphasised that engineering innovation could help reduce the cost of importing foreign technologies, create employment opportunities, encourage industrialisation and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to emerging security challenges.
Marte also called on Nigerians, particularly members of the engineering profession, to attend the forthcoming engineering conference scheduled to take place in Borno State on December 4, 2026.
He said the event would provide an opportunity for participants to interact with professionals and witness some of the developmental projects being undertaken by the Borno State Government under Governor Babagana Zulum.
The lawmaker urged Nigerians from different parts of the country to visit the state and assess its ongoing development efforts firsthand.
He expressed confidence that visitors would be impressed by the projects and transformation taking place in Borno, urging them not to rely solely on perceptions of the state but to visit and see the situation for themselves.
Marte commended Governor Zulum for what he described as his commitment to infrastructural development and improving the living conditions of residents.
He said the governor’s administration had demonstrated a determination to move the state forward through projects and programmes aimed at addressing the needs of the people.
According to him, the forthcoming conference would also provide an opportunity to showcase the importance of engineering in rebuilding communities, expanding infrastructure and supporting sustainable development.
He urged stakeholders to use the gathering to strengthen professional cooperation and explore ways engineers could contribute to the state’s development priorities.
The lawmaker also spoke on the political future of Borno State, expressing support for the choice of Engr. Alhaji Mustapha Gubio, the immediate past Commissioner for Works, as a candidate to continue the developmental agenda of the Zulum administration.
Marte described Gubio as a reliable individual with the experience and political will required to sustain ongoing development efforts and move the state forward.
He said the importance of continuity in governance could not be overlooked, particularly where an administration had initiated projects and programmes that required sustained implementation.
According to him, maintaining the momentum of development would require leadership capable of building on existing achievements while identifying new opportunities to improve the welfare of residents.
Marte expressed confidence that Gubio’s background as a former Commissioner for Works would be valuable in advancing infrastructure and other development priorities in the state.
He maintained that the continuity of development programmes would be important to consolidating the gains of the present administration and ensuring that ongoing projects deliver lasting benefits to the people.
The lawmaker’s comments reflected his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Marte called on residents of Borno State to participate actively in the 2027 general elections and support candidates of the APC at both the national and state levels.
He urged the electorate to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside APC candidates contesting various elective positions in Borno State.
The lawmaker said continued support for the party would, in his view, help sustain the administration’s development agenda and strengthen ongoing efforts to address the country’s challenges.
He appealed to eligible voters to come out in large numbers during the elections and exercise their democratic rights.
Marte also encouraged political stakeholders and community leaders to promote peaceful participation, political awareness and constructive engagement throughout the electoral process.
He stressed the importance of responsible leadership and public participation in shaping the future of the country and the state.
The 39th International Conference, Exhibition and AGM of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers provides a platform for professionals to discuss emerging trends in mechanical engineering, exchange technical knowledge and explore the contribution of engineering to national development.
With its focus on innovation, security and sustainable development, the conference theme highlights the need for engineers to develop practical solutions to challenges confronting Nigeria.
Mechanical engineering remains relevant to several sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, power generation, transportation, agriculture, construction and industrial production.
Engineers also have an important role in developing technologies that support security operations, improve infrastructure and strengthen the country’s capacity to produce essential equipment locally.
Marte’s call for patriotism and greater reliance on indigenous engineering solutions therefore underscores the need for stronger investment in research, professional development and local manufacturing.
He maintained that Nigerian engineers must be prepared to translate their expertise into practical results that would improve the economy and enhance the country’s technological independence.
The lawmaker reiterated his appeal to engineers, particularly young professionals, to remain committed to excellence, hard work and innovation, while urging Nigerians to attend the December 4 conference in Borno State and witness the developmental efforts of the Zulum administration.
He expressed optimism that greater collaboration among engineers, government and other stakeholders would contribute to national progress and help build a more technologically advanced and economically prosperous Nigeria.
