The deputy president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Margaret Oguntala, has lauded the activities of the NSE Manchester (UK) branch for their continuous professional development and membership engagement, adding that it was the commitment of the NSE UK officials that brought the realisation of the Manchester branch to fruition.
She made the commendation at the public lecture organised by the Manchester (UK) branch of the NSE on Friday April 14 2023 entitled “An Innovative Framework for Embedding and Assessing Management Contents in Engineering Education” delivered by Engr. Dr. Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo, Head, Mechanical Engineering Education, School of Engineering at The University of Manchester, UK.
The public lecture was organised to commemorate the official visit of the NSE Deputy President to the NSE Manchester branch in the United Kingdom, according to a release by the organisers.
“I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate 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. I also want to appreciate the pioneer Exco members, under the leadership of Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu for the foresight in bringing to fruition the new branch of the NSE,” Engr. Oguntala said.
The hybrid event with physical and online presence, was attended by the leading professionals in the engineering professions in Nigeria and the UK.
Physically present at the UK event were 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, the host and chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers Manchester branch, Engr. Patrick Obidoyin, and the master of ceremonies Dr. Olamide Jogunola (Lecturer in cyber security and smart grid, Manchester Metropolitan University).
Present virtually were the NSE President, Engr. Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudil, FNSE, SMIEE, FNIEE, MNIM, Ambassador A.O Shuaibu who represented H.E. Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, OFR, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, and the branch patron and past President, The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ademola Olorunfemi.
“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” NSE Manchester (UK) branch, said.
Patrick Obidoyin seized the opportunity to present the branch’s strategic plan which has as its focus air pollution project, NSE Infrastructure scorecard app, and the World Water Day.
“There is also a business angle as we want more Nigerian businesses to benefit from companies in the Northern PowerHouse(North of England) and vice versa,” Obidoyin said.
Furthermore, Engr. Oguntala used the opportunity to inaugurate the NSE Manchester (UK) branch’s new executive officers for 2022/2023 NSE year.
The officials 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), and Engr. Dr. Lilian Iheukwumere-Esotu (Assistant Membership Secretary).
Others are 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), and Engr. Prof. Bamidele Adebisi(Ex-Officio II).
In addition, Engr. Tai Fadipe-Davids and Engr. Dr. Lilian Iheukwumere-Esotu were officially inducted as corporate members of The Nigerian Society of Engineers.
