Welcome Address by Engr Angelique N. Ikwuka At the Inauguration of the 7th Chairman of APWEN Lagos Chapter/International Women’s Day Award Ceremony
PROTOCOLS
It is indeed a great pleasure for me and my colleagues to welcome each and every one of you to this occasion of the inauguration of the 7rh Chairman of the Association of Professional women Engineers of Nigeria(APWEN) Lagos Chapter and International Women’s Day Award Ceremony.
We are indeed greatly honoured by your presence especially our very distinguished Guest Speaker for this occasion and the awardees who we celebrate today due to their great achievements and outstanding contributions in their chosen fields.
It was just like yesterday that I was inaugurated as the 6th Chairman of APWEN Lagos Chapter, that was two years ago,how time flies. I give God all the glory and also thank my colleagues who elected me thereby giving me the opportunity to serve our great Association. During my tenure many activities were executed in line with the mandate of APWEN
In line with encouraging the girl child to take up the study of sciences tailored towards Engineering, Career talk was held for girls in public school in Agege local government District 1,with about 110 students from 11 schools in attendance with some hands on demonstration of some basic science concepts. Other activities include:
• Industrial visits, Courtesy visits to stakeholders and intending partners
• Career enhancing Workshops/Seminars
• Networking with other female professionals with new partnerships formed
• The rejigging of the Unilag Collegiate chapter which is now back,bigger and better, we are so proud of the zeal and contributions of these young women so far…these are the future APWEN.
• Award of Cash Prizes to the best graduating female Engineering students from 3 tertiary Institutions courtesy of Engr(Mrs)Margaret Oguntala FNSE – Laspotech, Engr Mrs Felicia Agubata, MNSE (the President) – Yabatech and EngrOlayinka Abdul FNSE – Unilag. It will be great to continue this and even make it better.
• Mentoring and support: This is an area that still requires a lot of attention. I call on all Engineers present here to endeavour to be role models and mentors to encourage more women to enter and stay in our profession
Although there were a lot of challenges along the way especially with availability of funds to execute some of our signature programmes, it was a great learning opportunity and I say a very big Thank You to APWEN Lagos for giving me the opportunity.
I congratulate the incoming exco as the baton of Leadership will be passed on to them officially todayand I want to advice that it is not an easy road but I have no doubt in my mind that through commitment, hard work and team spirit, they will break new grounds and move the Association to greater heights.
I am very grateful to our elders for their support all through the way and giving us the comfort of knowing that we were not alone, you have indeed opened horizons for the younger generation.
My special appreciation goes to the outgoing exco, concerned members and well wishers for their support, may God reward you abundantly.
We thank our Sponsors and Partners who stood by us through thick and thin, like Oliver Twist, we still solicit for your continual support knowing that when women and girls get the educational and professional support they need, we all benefit. Helping women reach their potentials is the best investment anyone can make toward creating a sustainable energy source.
I am honoured and humbled by the support of colleagues, friends and family. Thank you for being there.
Today as we join other women all over the world to celebrate International Women’s Day, let us continue to encourage,enhance and excel as we all collectively Press for progress. Everyone can play a purposeful role in advancing the cause of women no matter how small, even in our various communities, let’s do what we can to truly make a positive difference for women and quoting Mother Teresa- “I alone cannot change the world but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”. We all matter and our efforts count.
I thank you all very much for being here and listening to me today. I wish you to have an enjoyable,happy, healthy and a successful working and personal life.
Enjoy the rest of the day.