On 31st January 2022, The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch will honour selected illustrious individuals and organizations who have contributed to its developments through the years. The event tagged “Founders’ Day” is in first edition of such events and includes the unveiling of the Branch’s iconic project and long term plans.
The event which starts at 12 noon will be chaired by the president of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudli and hold at the Ralph Alabi Engineering Centre, Plot 32, Oba Ogunji Road, beside AP filling Station, via Agege pen Cinema, Lagos. Distinguished Engineers invited are the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (distinguished Guest of Honour), Dr. Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, Chief Executive Officer, Sifax Group (Guest of Honour) and host of others.
A former Rector, Lagos State Polytechnics, Engr Gasper Olawumi will be speaking on theme “Celebrating the legacy of our Founding Fathers: Towards Sustaining our viable Engineering culture”
The highlight of the ceremony is awards to distinguished Founding and illustrious members of the Branch, commissioning of its Engineering Resources Tower by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in whose honour it was named, awards for companies and individuals and unveiling of the Branch’s Long and medium term plan.
Founding Chairman of the Branch, late Engr Ralph Alabi and the Initiator, later Engr Olu Awoyinfa will be honored posthumously. Others to be honoured are Engr Vincent Maduka, former president of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr G. o Ajayi, Engr. Mrs. Odedina, Engr Ganiyu Johnson, Engr Nkechi Isigwe, Engr Nat Nkem and Engr Wasiu Buraimoh.
Inaugurated on January 1993, as a result of the need to bring Ikeja Engineers under one umbrella, the branch went through various development phases and has become one of elite branches of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
It can be recalled that the Initiator of the Branch, late Engr Olu Awoyinfa had in 1992 written a memo to 20 engineers working within Ikeja on the need to establish a new Branch. together with former Guinness Nig Chairman, late Engr Ralph Alabi (who was then the Deputy Managing Director at the company), more engineers were invited to join the vison. On July 1, 1992, a meeting was convened at the Conference Room of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning where 13 professional engineers gathered in what was to be its first ever meeting.
The “13 wise men”. as they are now known are Engr Ralph Alabi of Guinness, Olu Awoyinfa, the initiator, I. O. Saliu, K. E. Atta of Cadbury Nig Plc, S. E. Ee, Lamidi Bello, G. O Fashina (the host), J. F. Oni, S. O Anyakora, O. Anibaba, B. K. Odedokun, P. Santos and D. O. Jegede. To win their case for the formation of the Branch, Awoyinfa, while moderating the meeting provided some reasons for the establishment for the Ikeja Branch. Among them are: Ikeja has the largest number of engineers in the country, it headquartered Lagos State, has largest number of industries in the country and in Lagos. Above all, many engineers work and live in Ikeja metropolis and this will enable them have time for professional gathering despite their work schedules.
The Branch has since grown to become one of the most prominents in the country and has also produced a past President of NSE in person of Engineers Olorunfemi Ademola Isaac, and many leaders who has risen to the national prominent. it has won the NSE Annual Group Dynamic 3 times as part of its many accolades.
Written by isqil Najim