By Engr. Patrick Obidoyin – The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Manchester (UK) Branch is building on the success of 2021 and inviting partners to collaborate with them in 2022. The Branch is keen to address and to better understand the challenges of air pollution and its associated health hazards.
In June 2020, The University of Manchester GCRF QR grant funded a proof of concept to deploy low cost sensors in Lagos, Nigeria. NSE Manchester (UK) is keen to bring other partners on-board to expand the air pollution project across Nigeria.
NSE Manchester (UK) Branch has contributed to NSE, the parent body in the following projects E-library, NSE Infrastructure Report Card and NSE App.
The inauguration of NSE Manchester Branch took place on 20th August 2021. NSE Manchester Branch made history by being the first Branch of NSE to be accepted based on online activities and also being inaugurated online courtesy of COVID-19.
The journey started on 18th December 2019 when Engr. Adekunle Mokuolu FNSE sent a letter to Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu to kick-start the process of engaging Engineers of Nigerian origin in the North of England.
The first meeting of four engineers took place in Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu’s office at The University of Manchester. The meeting was attended by Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu (Chairman), Engr. Dr. Irene Okhade (General Secretary), Engr. Patrick Obidoyin (Publicity secretary) and Engr. Kamil Okedara (Membership Secretary).
The Branch has since organised numerous Technical session beneficial to engineers of all disciplines.
The leadership of the Branch has since widened to include: Engr. Dr Obuks Ejohwomu (Chairman), Engr. Prof. Bamidele Adebisi (Vice-Chairman), Engr. Dr. Irene Okhade (General Secretary), Engr. Dr Adeyanju Teslim-Balogun (Assistant General Secretary), Engr. Kamil Okedara (Membership Secretary), Engr. Patrick Obidoyin (Publicity secretary), Engr. Dr. Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo (Technical Secretary), Engr. Oladipo Tobais (Financial Secretary), Engr. Dr. Habila John Mormi (Treasurer), Engr. Ernest Oshogbunu (Industry relations), Engr. Kenneth Oronsaye (Special projects), Engr. Olutola Fakehinde (CoC & Ex-officio), Engr. Dr. Mohammed Ngala (Ex-officio) and Adeola Adebisi (IT lead)
The inauguration was attended by many notable dignitaries led by distinguished President Engr. Babagana Mohammed, FNSE.
Other dignitaries include H.E. Ambassador Sarafadeen Tunji Isola High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom ably represented by Dr Cyprian Heen Ambassador, Minister/Head of Investment, Trade and Industry at the Nigerian High Commission London.
The Guest Speaker was Engr. Prof. Michael O. Faborode, FNSE, FAEng.
Former Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria
Immediate Past Secretary-General, Committee of Vice-Chancellor of Nigerian Universities.
Engr. Suleiman Hussein Adamu, FNSE, FAEng Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Engr. Ademola Isaac Olorunfemi, FNSE, FNIM Branch Patron & President, Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Engr. Ali A. Rabiu FNSE, FASCE President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Dr Nike Folayan MBE Chair- Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers UK.
Engr Mrs Funmilola Ojelade FNSE, President – APWEN The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria.
Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu, Chairman, The Nigerian Society of Engineers Manchester Branch.
Professor Stephen Flint, Associate Vice-President International
Professor of Stratigraphy
Engr. Mrs. Margaret Oguntala FNSE. Engr. Ibitoye Adeniran FNSE
Engr. Kola Balogun – Chairman, MEMMCOL Chairman, MEMMCOL (Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited).
Chi Onwurah MP Member of Parliament representing Newcastle Central
Shadow Minister Digital, Science & Technology.
Prof Alice Larkin Professor of Climate Sci & Energy Policy, Head of School of Engineering & Vice Dean.
Prof. David Edwards [Special Guest] – Professor of Plant and Machinery Management – Birmingham City University.
Mr. Ayo Akinfe – Chairman, Central Association of Nigerians in UK (CANUK).
Prof. Erinma Bell MBE- Queen’s Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester.
Engr Prof Jeremiah Oludele Ojediran, MNSE VC Bells University of Technology Òtá, Nigeria.
NSE Glasgow chair – Engr. Dr. Adediran.
Engr. Dapo Sulu MNSE President EFN-UK – Engineering forum of Nigerians UK.
Ms. Augusta Ugoh – Chairwoman Nigeria Community Manchester.
Engr. Ismail Balogun, CEO Balbus UK.
Prof. Ojo Sunday Fayomi, Dean of College of Engineering, Bells University of Technology Òtá Nigeria.
The Guest Speaker was Engr. Prof. Michael O. Faborode, FNSE, FAEng.
Former Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria
Immediate Past Secretary-General, Committee of Vice-Chancellor of Nigerian Universities. He spoke on “HARNESSING DIASPORA ENGINEERING POTENTIAL FOR THE AFRICA WE WANT AND DESERVE.”
Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu Chairman, The Nigerian Society of Engineers Manchester Branch in his speech highlighted special projects from NSE Manchester Branch.
Induction of New Members took place with Oath read by newly inducted members recited by Engr. Adeyemi Adeleye on behalf of other newly inducted members of NSE Manchester Branch.
Awards to Students & Distinguished Members
All previous Technical Guest lecturer of NSE Manchester were also honoured during the occasion as listed below.
2020 Guest Technical Session Speakers
i. Dr Abiodun Abioye
Ii Prof Bamidele Adebisi
Manchester Metropolitan University
Iii Dr. Mohammad J Ngala
Principal Partner, Heaton Education, UK
Iv Professor David J Edwards
Birmingham City University.
v. Engr. Dr. David Oloke
University of Wolverhampton
vi. Professor Ola Uduku
Manchester School of Architecture
vii. Engr. Kola Balogun MNSE
Chairman & CEO, MEMMCOL
viii. Mr Gunter Schindler,
Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer,
ASM Assembly Systems LLC Germany
ix. Dr. Nabila Ahmed Rufa’I, SMIEEE
2021 Guest Technical Session Speakers
i. Dr. Abdullahi Abubakar Mas’ud CEng, MIET, MNSE, MNIEEE.
Jubail Industrial College & Prince Saud Bin Thunayin Research Centre, Jubail,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
ii. Engr. Dr Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo (PhD, FIMechE, FHEA, CEng, MNSE, MNIM, NEBOSHPGCert) The University of Manchester.
iii. Engr. Olanrewaju Aluko MNSE, PMP, CMRP
Founder and CEO of LACHI Nigeria Limited
iv. Engr. Mrs. Margaret Oguntala FNSE FNSChE
MD/CEO BAMSAT Nigeria Limited
v. Engr. Professor Muhammad Dauda, The University of Manchester
Provost Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna
vi. Dr. Mostafa Nabawy, The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester
Students Awards
Category 1 Group Award – The University of Manchester Ingenuity 2021 Champions
1. Yixi Chen
2. Jiawei Guo
3. Yuman Sun
4. Shubiao Xin
Category 2 Individual Awards – Excellence Award for contribution to engineering community of practice.
1. Pan LIJUN [Excellence Award for contribution to engineering’s community of practice]
2. Katy Victoria ANDREW [Excellence for contribution to engineering’s community of practice]
3. Ferdinand Ukaigwe [Excellence for contribution to engineering’s community of practice]
4. Prof. David Edwards [Excellence for contribution to professional development in Africa]
5. Olusegun Isaiah Popoola [Excellence for contribution to engineering’s community of practice]
Category 3: Excellence Award to Branch Members was presented to Engr. Patrick Obidoyin MNSE and Engr. Dr. Irene Okhade MNSE and the Vote of Thanks was by Engr. Dr. Mrs. Teslim-Balogun Assistant General Secretary NSE Manchester Branch.
The Master of ceremonies was Mr. Charles Ajayi-Khiran supported by co-hosts Engr. Patrick Obidoyin and Engr. Dr. Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo.
The corporate sponsors of NSE Manchester inauguration include: MEMMCOL (Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited, World Remit and Balbus UK.
Engr. Patrick Obidoyin is the Publicity secretary – The Nigerian Society of Engineers Manchester (UK) Branch
Kindly follow us on twitter:@AfricanVoice2
