ADOPTED: 1992 AND REVISED 2001
PREAMBLE
The Nigerian Society of Agricultural Engineers was established in 1975. Consequent upon a merger of the Society with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) on 17th July, 1999 the Society metamorphoses into the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE); a Division of the NSE, hereinafter referred to as the Institution. This revision of the Institution Bye-laws and Rules reflects the current status of NIAE vis-à-vis the NSE. The Bye-Laws and Rules explain and complement the general provisions of the Constitution.
Article 1: GOVERNMENTEvery question, which shall come before a meeting of the Institution, or of the National Executive or of a Committee or other organized group within the Institution, shall be decided by a majority of votes cast, unless otherwise provided in the Constitution, the Bye-Laws and Rules, or by the Constitution, Bye-Laws and Rules of NSE, or by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Article 2: OBJECTS
The objects of the Institution shall be accomplished by:
R(1) Advancing the theory and practice of engineering in agriculture and the allied sciences and arts by:
(a) encouraging research, experimentation, tests, and other original work in agricultural engineering;
(b) encouraging the preparation of original papers on agricultural engineering topics;
(c) holding meetings for the presentation and discussion of original papers, and participation in meetings with other engineering and scientific groups;
(d) publishing papers and reports and disseminating knowledge and experience of value to engineers in agricultural engineering work;
(e) developing and promulgating standards, cods, formulae and recommended practices;
(f) offering awards and other honours to encourage contributions to agricultural engineering, conferring awards and other honours in recognition of meritorious contributions to agricultural engineering; and
(g) encouraging intercourse among engineers generally for the mutual exchange of knowledge and experience.
R(2) Enhancing the status of the engineer in agricultural engineering work by:
(a) maintaining high technical and cultural standards for admission to the Institution;
(b) co-operating with educational Institutions in the maintenance of high standards of education for agricultural engineering;
(c) requiring a high standard of ethical practice by members of the Institution;
(d) aiding in the adoption of a high standard of attainment for the granting of the legal right to the practice of professional engineering;
(e) encouraging among students of agricultural engineering the study of such subjects as will equip them with a proper cultural and technical foundation for achieving the optimum of enjoyment for themselves and of usefulness to society;
(f) encourage the personal and professional development of young engineers in agricultural engineering works; and
R(3) Increasing the usefulness of the organized engineering profession as a whole by;
(a) cooperating with other engineering and technical societies;
(b) encouraging a high standard of citizenship among all engineers;
(c) encouraging members of the Institution to participate in public affairs;
(d) cooperating with governmental agencies in matters involving agricultural engineers; and
(e) publicizing the engineering profession through the achievements of agricultural engineers.
Article 3: MEMBERSHIP
R(1) Each member shall be entitled to a certificate of membership, signed by the Chairman
and the Secretary of the Institution, which shall remain the property of the Institution
and be returned on demand.
R.(2) Abbreviation of the titles to be used by members shall be as follows:
Fellow FNIAE
Member MNIAE
Honorary Member Hon. MNIAE
Affiliate Member Affl. NIAE
Graduate Member Grad. NIAE
Student Member ……………
Corp. Firm Member …………….
Affiliate Institutions …………….
R.(3) Each member shall be entitled to wear the emblem approved by the National Executive for his grade of membership.
R.(4) Each member desiring to resign shall deposit with the Secretary any badge and certificate of membership in his possession, the stipulated refund for which shall be made to him by the Secretary upon acceptance of his resignation.
Article 4. PROCEDURE FOR ADMISSION
R.(1) A candidate for admission to the Institution in any grade, except that of Fellows and
Honorary member shall make application on an approved NIAE form.
R.(2) A candidate for admission to the Institution except a Fellow or an Honorary Member
should refer to at least two (2) members who have personal knowledge of his
qualifications.
R.(3) Any suitably qualified corporate organization shall be admitted to corporate firm member of the Institution at the discretion of the National Executive.
R.(4) A candidate for admission to the Institution a a student member must be endorsed by the Head of the Agricultural Engineering Department or the Faculty Adviser of the student branch located at the Institution where he is a student, and must be sponsored by 2 corporate members of the Institution in good standing.
R.(5) Any application for membership from a candidate who may not be able to give the necessary number of references, may be recommended by the National Executive for ballot after sufficient evidence has been obtained to show that the candidate is worthy of admission to membership. Such candidate may refer to officers or voting members of other Societies or Institution of like standing.
R.(6) The sponsors of each candidate shall be requested to make such confidential communications to the Secretary as will enable the National Executive to arrive at a proper assessment of the eligibility of the candidate. All such confidential material shall be destroyed by the Secretary within a reasonable period after acceptance of election by payment of the admission fee and annual dues.
R.(7) Each candidate approved by the National Executive shall be assigned to the grade of membership to which his/her qualifications entitles him/her.
R.(8) From the Institution’s register the Secretariat shall compile, every year, a list of members who are eligible to be elected as Fellows of Institution.
R.(9) (a) The National Executive shall contact in writing, each of the listed members
requesting for:
(i) the members consent (or interest) to become a Fellow,
(ii) a comprehensive curriculum vitae,
(iii) three references who must themselves be Fellows
(a) The National Executive shall appoint a Board of Fellows. No Member of the
National Executive shall be appointed member of the Board of Fellows. The board shall consist of five members who are Fellows or are eligible to be elected as Fellows. The Secretariat shall secure references from the three referees of each candidate and forward to the board under confidential cover. The board shall assess the curriculum vitae and references of each candidate, and make necessary recommendations to the National Executive.
(b) Unsuccessful candidates can be reassessed two years after the initial trials(s).
Such candidates shall not be contacted in writing again by the National Executive or
the Board of Fellows.
R.(10)
(a) Nomination of a Honorary Fellow may be made to the Board of Fellows by at
le ast one Corporate member of the Institution and seconded by 2 corporate
members. The nominee shall state in writing, the reason
(b) Not more than five Honorary Fellows shall be elected every two years.
(c) Election to Hon. Fellowship by the National Executive shall be on the recommendation of the Board of Fellows.
R.(11)A student member may participate in all the activities of the Institution but shall not be permitted to vote or hold an elective office except in the Student Branch at the Institution in which he is a student.
Article 5: FEES AND DUESR.(1) (a) The cost of the Membership Application form shall be five hundred Naira
(500.00) and the cost of processing the form shall be Two Thousand Naira
(2,000.00) making a total of Two thousand and five hundred naira referred to as
admission fees.
(b) The annual dues shall be five hundred naira (500.00) for all grades of membership.
© These fees and dues shall be reviewed from time to time by the National
Executive and approved by the Annual General Meeting before such reviews can
become effective.
R.(2) The admission fee and annual dues shall be payable on the first day of the month following the date of election. Only upon the payment of this amount shall the person elected be entitled to the rights and privileges of membership in the grade to which he is assigned. If such a person does not comply with this requirement within three months after notice of his election, the National Executive may declare his election void.
R.(3) The annual dues for each ensuing year shall be due and payable in advance on the first day of July. a bill for annual dues shall be mailed to each member by October of each year. Notice of arrears shall be sent thereafter as directed by the National Executive.
R.(4) The Financial Secretary shall submit to the National Executive a list of members whose dues have not been paid by April 1st who will take action that may be considered appropriate.
R.(5) After the close of the fiscal year on June 30th, the Financial Secretary shall submit to the National Executive a list of members whose dues have remained unpaid for 12 months. Such defaulters shall at the discretion of ther National Executive be stricken from the roll of membership and shall cease to have any further rights as members.
R.(6) The National Executive may temporarily excuse from payment of annual dues any member who from ill health, advanced age, or other good reason is unable to pay such dues; and the National Executive may remit the whole or part of dues in arrears.
R.(7) The National Executive may restore to membership any person dropped from the rolls for non payment of dues or otherwise, upon such conditions as it may deem best. The National Executive shall also decide whether or not a reinstatement fee should be paid and the amount.
Article 6: THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVER.(1) The National Executive shall consider the failure of an incumbent from inability or otherwise to perform the duties of his office, and may, by a two-third vote, declare, any elective office vacant. The National Executive shall there upon appoint a member to fill the vacancy until the next election of officers. Such appointment shall not render the appointee ineligible for election to any office.
R.(2) An act of the National Executive (within its power under the Constitution) which shall have received the expressed or implied sanction of the membership at the following meeting of the Institution shall be deemed to be an act of the Institution and cannot afterward be impeached by any member.
Article 7: COMMITTEESR.(1) Upon taking office, the Chairman shall appoint, subject to approval of the National Executive such Administrative Committees to assist in the conduct of the affairs of the Institution and such professional Committees to investigate and report upon subjects of agricultural engineering interest as may be deemed desirable.
R.(2) Administrative and Professional Committees shall be standing or special, as the Bye-laws and Rules provide and the National Executive approves.
R.(3) Each Committee shall perform the duties required by the Bye-laws and Rules, or assigned to it by the National Executive. Any proposed expenditure of a Committee must be authorized by the National Executive before it is incurred.
R.(4) The National Executive may, at its discretion, remove any or all members of a committee, except of a nominating committee, and vacancies arising from this or any other cause shall be filled by appointment by the National Executive.
R.(5) On or before June 1st of each year, each standing Committee shall deliver to the Secretary a written report of its work for presentation to the National Executive.
R.(6) On or before June 1st of each year, each Special: Committee shall deliver a written progress report to the Secretary for presentation to the National Executive. Upon receipt of this report the National Executive may at its discretion, continue with the committee. The Committee shall be discharged upon the adoption of the final report.
Article 8: SOCIETY REPRESENTATION
R.(1) The National Executive may, at its discretion appoint a member or members, or other persons, to represent it at meetings of Societies of kindred aim or at public functions. The duties of such representatives shall terminate with the occasion for which they were appointed.
R.(2 The Chairman, subject to the approval of the National Executive, may nominate or appoint a member or other person or persons, to represent the Institution on professional or other Committees organized b other Societies or Institutions or by government agencies or others.
Article 9: ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
R.(1) There shall be a returning officer elected by the Institution at the Annual General Meeting in an election year. The Returning Officer shall be assisted by some members
R.(2) The Returning Officer shall be responsible for the conduct of the election.
R.(3) All candidates for election into the National Executive shall be of the grade of Corporate membership.
R.(4) If a tie occurs in the vote for any officer, the presiding officer shall cast the deciding vote.
Article 10: OFFICERSR.(1) The officers shall perform the duties regularly or customarily attaching to their offices under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and such other duties as may be required of them by the National Executive or Council of NSE or the Bye-laws.
R.(2) In the absence of the Chairman, his duties shall be performed by the Vice Chairman or in the absence of both, a member of the National Executive.
R.(3) The financial Secretary shall be responsible for collecting all the funds of the Institution, handing same over to the Treasurer and presenting an annual financial report to the Institution.
R.(4) The Treasurer shall be the legal custodian of all funds of the Institution. The disbursement of all funds shall be made by the Treasurer with approval of the National Executive. He shall also present an annual report.
R.(5) Any officer may be subject to removal for cause by a vote of 60% of the National Executive at any time, after one month’s written notice has been given him to show cause why he should not be removed, and after he had been heard in his own defense if he so desires.
Article 11: ESTABLISHMENT OF BRANCHESR.(1) The object of a geographical branch of the Institution shall be to provide means of promoting the work of the Institution by an organization of members who are resident within a given territory.
R.(2) A branch of the Institution may be organized upon acceptance by the National Executive of the written request of a satisfactory number of members. Such a branch shall be designated as ………….. branch of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers.
R.(3) The provisions of the Constitution, Bye-laws and Rules of the Institution shall cover theprocedure of all branches, but no action or obligation of a branch shall be considered an action of the Institution as a whole. This Bye-law shall be imprinted on any publication issued by the branch.
R.(4) For the convenience and conduct of its affairs, each branch shall organize an Executive Committee.
R.(5) The activities of the branch shall be in general accord with the objects and aims of the Institution as a whole.
R.(6) The National Executive of the Institution on 60 days notice, may suspend or disband any branch.
R.(7) When the number of members of the Institution in any area within the limits of the Federal Republic of Nigeria favour the formation of a branch in that area, a meeting shall be called and notice sent to the entire membership of the Institution residing in that area. At this meeting an application for the formation of a branch, containing suggestions as to area to be included in the branch may be presented and if adopted, shall be sent to the National Executive through the Secretary of the Institution for consideration by the National Executive.
R.(8) Upon approval of the application by the National Executive, a meeting of the signatories shall be held for the selection of a temporary Executive Committee of at least three members. This Committee shall have charge of and be responsible for the proceedings of the branch until the next election of officers.
R.(9) The Executive Committee of a branch shall consist of a Coordinator, a Secretary, and such other officers as may be found desirable. Such officers shall be elected by ballot of the members of the Institution constituting the branch.
R.(10)A member of the Institution shall be entitled to vote or to hold office in more than one branch at a time.
R.(11)The Secretary of each branch shall report the proceedings of that branch to the Secretary of the Institution for notice in the publications. He shall discharge the duties of Secretary of the branch, and such responsibilities as may be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.
R.(12)Any expenditure chargeable to the Institution for the purpose of any branch must be authorized by the National Executive before it is incurred. No liability otherwise incurred shall be binding upon the Institution.
R.(13)A branch may arrange to hold joint meetings with other engineering organizations and
may invite members of such organization to attend its meeting but al expenses incurred shall be binding only on the branch and not the Institution as a whole.
R.(14) Each branch may adopt its own Bye-laws for the conduct of its affairs, provided that
such Bye-laws are in harmony with the Constitution, Bye-laws and Rules of the Institution and provided also that every publication of such Bye-laws be prefaced with a copy of this rule.
Article 12: STUDENT BRANCHES
R.(1) A student branch may be organized upon acceptance by the National Executive of the written request of at least ten students pursuing a professional agricultural engineering curriculum in a school of accepted standing. Such branch shall be designated as the Student Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers.
R.(2) The provisions of the Constitution, Bye-laws and Rules of the Institution shall cover the procedure of all student branches but not action or obligation of a Student Branch shall be considered an action or obligation of the Institution as a whole. This Bye-law shall be imprinted on any publication issued by the Student branch.
R.(3) The National Executive shall assist in organizing, fostering and governing student branches and their activities.
R.(4) Upon the recommendation of a Student branch, the Chairman of the Institution shall designate a Corporate member of the Institution as Faculty Adviser for oe year, to be an ex-officio member of the governing body of the student branch.
R.(5) Annually each Student branch shall elect officers including a president and a governing body of at least three members of the branch.
Article 13: PUBLICATION AND PAPERS
R.(1) All publications of the Institution shall be under the direction of the National Executive
R.(2) The Secretariat shall be responsible for the publication of the Newsletter.
R.(3) The Publications Committee shall be responsible for the publication of the proceedings of the Annual conferences.
R.(4) The National Executive shall establish an editorial board for the Journal (Journal of Agricultural Engineering and Technology), which shall be responsible to the National Executive for its editorial policy.
R.(5) The Institution shall not be responsible for statement or opinions advanced in papers or in discussions at meetings of the Institution, or of its divisions or sections, or printed in its publications.
R.(6) The Institution reserves the right to copyright, at the discretion of the National Executive, any of its papers, discussions, report or publications.
Article 14: FUNDS
R.(1) The Institution shall open an account with a bank as directed by the National Executive.
R.(2) All funds shall be paid into the Bank Account of the Institution and such funds shall be entered into the books of the Institution. All withdrawals from the account shall bear the signatures of the chairman and the Treasurer.
R.(3) All bills against members and others shall be made and collected by the Financial Secretary.
R.(4) Funds may be collected from sources outside the Institution for the conduct of research. All contributions to the Institution for any specific purpose shall be disbursed under the direction of the National Executive.
R.(5) The accounts of the Institution shall be audited and approved annually by a chartered or other competent public Accountant approved by the National Executive.
Article 15: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
R.(1) All members of the institution shall subscribe to the following Canons of ethics for engineers as required by the constitution.
Article 16: CANONS OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS
FOREWORD
Honesty, justice, and courtesy form moral philosophy which, associated with mutual interest among men, constitutes the foundation of ethics, the engineer should recognize such standard, not in passive observance, but as a set of dynamic principles guiding his conduct and way of life. It is his duty to practice his profession according to these Canons of Ethics.
As the key stone of professional conduct is integrity, the engineer will discharge his duty with fidelity to the public, his employers and clients and with fairness and impartiality to all. It is his duty to interest himself in public welfare, and to be ready to apply his special knowledge for the benefit of mankind. He should uphold the honour and dignity of his profession and also avoid association with any enterprise of questionable character. In his dealings with fellow engineers, he should be fair and tolerant.
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
R.(1) The engineer will cooperate in extending the effectiveness of the engineering profession by interchanging information and experience with other engineers and students by contributing to the work of engineering societies, Schools and the Scientific and engineering press.
R.(2) He will advertise his work or merit in a self-laudatory manner, and he will avoid all conduct or practice likely to discredit or to do injury to the dignity and honour of his profession.
RELATION WITH PUBLIC
R.(3) The engineer will endeavour to extend public knowledge of engineering, and will discourage the spreading of untrue, unfair, and exaggerated statements regarding engineering.
R.(4) He will have due regard for the safety of life and health of the public and employees who may be affected by the work he is responsible.
R.(5) He will express an opinion only when it is founded on adequate knowledge and honest conviction while he is serving as a witness before a Court, Commission, or other Tribunal.
R.(6) He will not issue expert statements, criticisms, or arguments on matters connected with public policy which are inspired or paid for by private interests, unless he indicates on whose behalf he is making the statement.
R.(7) He will refrain from expressing publicly an opinion on an engineering subject unless he is informed as to the facts relating thereto.
RELATIONS WITH CLIENTS AND EMPLOYERS
R.(8) The engineer will act in professional matters for each client or employer as a faithful or trustee.
R.(9) He will act with fairness and justice between his client and employer and the contractor when dealing with contractors.
R.(10)He will make his status clear to his client or employer before undertaking an engagement if he may be called upon to decide on the use of inventions, apparatus, or any other thins in which he may have a financial interest.
R.(11)He will guard against conditions that are dangerous or threatening to life, limb, or property on work for which he is responsible, or if he is not responsible, will promptly call such conditions to the attention of those who are responsible.
R.(12)He will present clearly the consequences to be expected from developments proposed if his engineering judgment I overruled by non-technical authority in cases where he is responsible for the technical adequacy of engineering work.
R.(13)He will engage, or advise his client or employer to engage, and he will corporate with, other experts and specialists whenever the client or employer’s interest are best served by such service.
R.(14)He will disclose not information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of client or employers without their consent.
R.(15)He will not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party for the same service, or for services pertaining to the same work, without the consent of all interested parties.
R.(16)He will accept commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly from contractors or other parties dealing with his client or employer in connection with work for which he is responsible.
R.(17)He will not be financially interested in the bonds as of a contractor on competitive work for which he is employed as an engineer unless he has the consent of his client or employer.
R.(18)He will promptly disclose to his client or employer any interest in an business which may compare with or affect his decision regarding engineering work for which he is employed or which he may be called upon to perform.
R.(19)The engineer will endeavour to protect the engineering profession collectively and individually from misrepresentation and misunderstanding.
R.(20)He will take care that credit for engineering work is given to those to whom credit is properly due.
R.(21)He will uphold the principle of appropriate and adequate compensation for those engaged in engineering work, including those in subordinate capacities, as being in the public interest and maintaining the standards of the profession.
R.(22)He will endeavour to provide opportunity for the professional development and advancement of engineers in his employment.
R.(23)He will not directly or indirectly injure the professional reputation, prospects, or practice of another engineer.
R.(24)He will exercise due restraint in criticizing another engineer’s work in public, recognizing the fact that the engineering societies and the engineering press provide the proper forum for technical discussions and criticism.
R.(25)He will not try to supplant another engineer in a particular employment after becoming aware that definite steps have been taken towards the other’s employment.
R.(26)He will not use the advantage of a salaried position to compete unfairly with another engineer.
R.(27)He will not become associated in responsibility for work with engineers who do not conform to ethical practices.
Article 17: AMENDMENTS
R.(1) In the case of a tie vote on an amendment, the presiding officer at the meeting of the Institution shall cast the deciding vote.
R.(2) At any regular meeting, the National Executive may, by a two-thirds vote of its members present enact, repeal or amend Bye-laws in harmony with the constitution, provided that such Bye-laws or amendments shall have been submitted in writing ot each member of the National Executive at least 30 days before the meeting at which action is to be taken. A Bye-law shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the National Executive and shall be published at once by the secretary to all members of the Institution.
R.(3) At any regular meeting by a majority vote of its members present, the National Executive may enact, repeal, or amend Rule in harmony with the Constitution and Bye-laws. A Rule or an amendment thereto shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the National Executive and shall be published by the Secretary to all members of the Institution.
SPECIAL CLAUSE
The income and property of the Nigeria Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE)
when so ever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the NIAE as set forth in the Rules and Regulations/Constitution; and no portion thereof shall be paid or
transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise or by way of profit to
the members of the Nigerian Institution of ?Agricultural ?engineers NIAE.
Provided that nothing here shall prevent the payment, in good faith, or reasonable and
proper remuneration to an officer or servant of the NIAE in return for any services actually rendered to the institution but so that no member of the council of Management or Governing body shall be appointed to any salaried office of the Institution or any office of the Institution paid by fees; and that no remuneration or other benefit in money or money shall be given by the Institution to any member of such council or Governing body except repayment of out of
pocket expenses or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised, or let to the Institution
provided that the provision last aforesaid shall not apply to any payment of any company to a
member of the Institution may be a company in which such member shall not hold more than
one hundredth part of the capital and such member shall not be bound to account for any share
of profits he may receive in respect of such payment.
No addition, alteration or amendment shall be made to or in the RULES and
REGULATIONS/CONSTITUTION for the time being in force, unless the same have been
previously submitted to and approved by the Minister
In the event of a winding-up or dissolution of the Institution, there remains after the
satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever the same shall not be aid to
or distributed among the members of the Institution but shall be given or transferred to some other Institutions or Institution, having objects similar to the objects of the Institution and the body or bodies are prohibited from distributing its or their income and property amongst its or their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Institutions under or by virtue of the SPECIAL CLAUSE hereof, such Institution or Institutions to be determined by the members of the Institution at or before the time of dissolution and if in so far as effect cannot be given to the aforesaid provision then to some charitable object.
