By Dr. Ibrahim Sanusi – The NSE Deputy President, Engr. Margaret Oguntala, FNSE, FNSChE also known as Erelu arrived the United Kingdom to attend the NSE Manchester (UK) Branch’s public lecture at the ultra modern Engineering building of the University of Manchester (UoM) on Friday 14th April, 2023.
During the visit, Engr. Margaret Oguntala was a guest of Honour at the branch’s public lecture and she took a tour of the Engineering building at UoM; an event, which was organised to specially welcome her officially to Manchester.
In her remarks, the NSE deputy president, Engr. Margaret Oguntala who is also a financial member of the NSE Manchester branch, congratulated the branch chairman, EUR ING Patrick Obidoyin for putting together the event in a short notice; a testament to his social capital and good working dynamics of the NSE Manchester Branch. The Deputy president appreciated the pioneer Ex-Co members, under the leadership Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu for the foresight in bringing to fruition the new branch of the NSE.
In his own remarks, the NSE President, Engr. Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudil appreciated the laudable achievements and efforts of the NSE Manchester Branch for the continuous professional development and engagement of her members.
Further remarks, were given by Dr. Christopher Edordu, who related his several years of working in the finance industry and the close relationships the industry had with engineers and engineering projects.
Ambassador A.O Shuaibu the representative of the High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom equally lauded the strides of the NSE Manchester Branch, and implored the engineering members to further look into the challenges faced in Nigeria especially in structural engineering and buildings integrity.
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien complimented the Nigerian professionals, engineers and academics on their active participation in various fields of achievements, especially in engineering. He also expressed his willingness to continue supporting engineering education and feats as instilled in Greater Manchester proud heritage in Science and Engineering. Councillor Professor Erinma Bell MBE discussed her proud Nigerian heritage and close associations with engineers, and the need to further promote STEM fields to the younger generation while Engr. Ademola Olorunfemi commended the efforts of the NSE Manchester branch for organising the event and promoting engineering.
Also in attendance at the hybrid event were other distinguished guests both physically and online via zoom video conferencing. Present virtually at the event were the NSE President, Engr. Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudil, FNSE, SMIEE, FNIEE, MNIM, Ambassador A.O Shuaibu who represented His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, OFR, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, the Branch patron and past President, The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ademola Olorunfemi, FNSE, FAEng, whilst the following attended in person; the pioneer President of Afreximbank (African Export-Import Bank), H.E. Dr. Christopher Edordu, the leader of Bury Metropolitan Borough Council in Greater Manchester & Greater Manchester combined authority and a portfolio lead for education, skills, work apprenticeships and digital, Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Elected Councillor of Manchester City Council, Councillor Professor Erinma Bell, MBE, the pioneer chairman, NSE Manchester branch, Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu and the host and chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers Manchester Brach Engr. Patrick Obidoyin.
The Master of Ceremonies was Dr. Olamide Jogunola (Lecturer in cyber security and smartgird, Manchester Metropolitan University), the event featured an informative public lecture titled “An Innovative Framework for Embedding and Assessing Management Contents in Engineering Education” delivered by Engr. Dr. Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo PhD, FIMechE, FHEA, CEng, MNSE, Head of Mechanical Engineering Education, School of Engineering at The University of Manchester, UK. The lecture provided valuable insights into the need to further bridge the management skills gap between the industry and the engineering curriculum and equally highlighted the effectiveness of restructured delivery framework of engineering courses in order to maximise students’ engagement.
The NSE Manchester branch chairman, EUR ING Patrick Obidoyin seized the opportunity to present the Branch’s strategic plan.
Some of the projects supported by NSE Manchester in the Branch chairman’s remarks include:
A. ‘Air pollution project’
According to Nigeria Guardian Newspaper of 28 August 2022Lagos loses 22,500 children to air pollution in 2021 in a report by Lagos State Environmental protection Agency (LASEPA). This is in one year alone. We are glad that Dr. Obuks is leading a project to tackle this menace. We need collaboration to make this a national project and save more lives. If you are listening today and would like to collaborate, please get in touch with us!
B. NSE Infrastructure scorecard App
One of our members Engr. Ken Oronsaye was involved in developing an App for NSE Infrastructure scorecard. Nigeria’s Infrastructure Report Card Chaired by our Patron Engr. Ademola Olorunfemi.
The Nigeria Infrastructure Report Card covered the following key infrastructure areas: Electric Power, Transportation, Aviation, Water Supply & Waste-Water, Solid Waste Management (Sanitation), Health, Education, Oil & Gas, Housing and Tourism. Others are Sports, Agriculture, Communication & ICT, Emergency & Response, and Security & law. Quoting a Past President of NSE Engr. Babagana Mohammed, FNSE “The quantity and adequacy of infrastructure owned by a nation bear a direct impact on the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the people. It is therefore important to have a basis for monitoring and evaluating the progress of development of this important national asset in order to guarantee continuous improvement on a sustainable basis”.
C. World Water Day
For the second year running Engr. Kamil Okedara from our Branch was able to organise World Water Day 2023 bringing together Diaspora water practitioners and stakeholders.
The Chairman and the new executives of NSE Manchester Branch for the year 2022/2023 NSE year were inaugurated and presented with inaugural letters by the Deputy president.
The new executives are:
Engr. Patrick Obidoyin – Chairman
Dr. Robert Ataria – Vice chairman
Engr. Joseph Ediae – General Secretary
Dr. Mutiu Adeoye Alabi-Bello – Assistant General Secretary
Engr. Stephen Grenville – Financial Secretary
Engr. Oladipo Tobais – Treasurer
Engr. Dr Kelvin Anoh – Technical Secretary
Engr. Ahmed Mohammed – Assistant Technical Secretary
Engr. Adeleye Adeyemi – Membership Secretary
Engr. Dr. Lilian Iheukwumere-Esotu – Assistant Membership Secretary
Dr. Ibrahim Sanusi – (publicity Secretary)
Engr. Dr. Akeem Abiodun Babatunde – Welfare Secretary
Engr. Chukwuma Ogbonnaya – Assistant Welfare Secretary
Ferdinand Ukaegbu – Newsletter Editor
Engr. Kenneth Oronsaye – Special projects lead
Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu – Ex-Officio I (Pioneer chairman – NSE Manchester Branch)
Engr. Prof. Bamidele Adebisi – Ex-Officio II
Furthermore, two members, in persons of Engr. Tai Fadipe-Davids and Engr. Dr. Lilian Iheukwumere-Esotu were officially inducted as corporate members of The Nigerian Society of Engineers.
The immediate past chairman of the NSE Manchester Branch gave the vote of thanks and thanked all the participants for the success of the event.
Dr. Ibrahim Sanusi Publicity Secretary – NSE Manchester Branch wrote from UK
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