The Nigerian Academy of Engineering induction of new fellows and investiture of the 13th President held recently at prestigious hall “the J.F Ajayi auditorium” at the University of Lagos. The hall was packed full with dignitaries and notable personalities whom had turned out to witness yet another exciting experience of the induction of new fellows, investiture of the new president and presentation life time achievement award to some he members of the academy.
The ceremony kicked off with the introduction of guests present and reading of the goodwill messages of the Governors of Ogun, Lagos and Oyo states respectively as well as recognition of delegated dignitaries too.
The Vice-chancellor of UNILAG gave her speech emphasizing on the importance of engineering and congratulating all newly inducted fellows and awardees of the life achievement and joyfully commending the Academy for its enormous efforts over the years, which has impacted the institution and the engineering profession to its apex standard in Nigeria.
Pioneer President and founder of APWEN, Engr. Joana Maduka gave her enlightening lecture titled “Government-Industry-Academia Collaboration in Nigeria’s Technopreneurship Ecosystem” discussing on the need for government to collaborate with engineers for sustainable development; shedding more light on the essence of the Engineering academy.
She stated in the course of the lecture; the improvement of attention on Science and Technology, also the role of academia on engineering and development in science for the 21st Century learner. The lecture highlighted the need for industry players and government as well to create an enabling environment for the growth of businesses like the SME’s.
The Life Time Achievement Award, comprising of eight (8) renowned engineers including; Engr. Prof. Rahamon Adisa Bello (President-Elect). The president of NAE, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu decorated the Life Time Achievement awardees to the respective recipients.
The induction ceremony commenced with the recognition and profiling of the inductees along with the decoration, collection of certificates and signing of the register of Fellows anchored by the incumbent president and president elect of the Academy. After the decoration of newly inducted fellows, the ceremony progressed with the profile of the president elect of the Academy, Engr. Prof. Rahamon Adisa Bello, whom had a delegation of chiefs in support from Yewa Land in Ogun State.
NAE President, Engr. Prof. Azikiwe along with Engr. Mrs. Joana Maduka with few past presidents of the Academy decorated Engr. Prof. Rahamon Adisa as the newly elected president of the Academy. The transition of power between the outgoing and the incoming president was done and thereafter Engr. Prof. Rahamon Adisa gave his inaugural speech in which he urged for cordial relationship amongst engineers and to imbibe the attitude of participation and support of the academy’s activities at all times. In the same vein he encourages the private sectors to always support the various activities of the academy and that there are more to gain in doing so.
In the course of the event, Engr. U.G Danbatta who was online throughout the event appreciated all the planning committee and all the past president and fellow on the academy for the successful transition of power and also stated his total commitment and cooperation working with the new president of the academy.