The first female president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mrs. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, was hosted in grand style yesterday at the Makurdi residence of the honourable Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Urban Development, Tiza Isaac Imojime Orya, and his wife, Mrs. Victoria Kadoon Tiza Imojime.
Hon. Tiza Isaac Hosts Historic Reception for Nigeria’s First Female President of Engineers’ Society
During my speech, I commended Engr. Aina for becoming the first female president of Engineers’ Society since its founding in 1958.
In addition to several other engagements with engineers since taking office, he reinstated that His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia was a good friend of engineering, as evidenced by the awarding of road construction projects demarcating the Air Force boundary to senior citizens of civil engineering.
During her speech, President Engineer Aina conveyed her sincere appreciation for the dignity and respect she had received from the Commissioner, stating that she felt both humbled and honoured by the gesture.
A Momentous Occasion in Engineering Leadership
Also Speaking, engineering legend Engr. Edward Ujege Mni argued that only licenced engineers should manage all state construction projects, even as he praised the exceptional work of the Alia-led administration. In order to maintain the profession, he also advocated for the younger generation to receive ongoing training and retraining, as well as for the acquisition of new skills.
In his message of goodwill, the former Registrar COREN, Engr. Dr. Felix Atume Mni, congratulated the female President, describing her as a capable engineer. He expressed his gratitude to the commissioner for the cordial greeting that Engr. Aina had received, stressing that engineering was all about progress in all fields.
In a separate speech, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Vice Chancellor Engineer Prof. Isaac Nathaniel Itodo wished Engineer Aina a productive and significant term in office and guaranteed her the fullest support of engineers to realise her goals in the best interests of Nigerian engineers.
Highlights of the occasion included the world-champion Benue Dance Troup’s cultural presentation and Engr. Margaret Aina’s dressing up in traditional Benue clothing by Engr. Dooshima Mbapuun, the chairperson of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN).
The youngest commissioner in Nigeria from Zamfara, Engr. Ya’u Haruna, the commissioner for water resources from Plateau State, and the commissioner for youth and sports, Hon. Noel Nkut, were present at the event. PSA Terkimbi IKyange, Honourable Among other dignitaries were Hon. Maurice Orwough, Chairman of the NSE Engineering Chapter, Engr. T.A. Wombo, Director of the Civil Engineering Directorate, and Manager Ukeyima.