Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I give God all the glory for making this day possible and humbly thank our highly esteemed guests, who have made time out of their busy schedules from far and near to share in our joy of today.
I consider it a great honour to be installed today as the 6th (and 1st female) Chairman of Ilesa Branch of this prestigious and noble society. With all sincerity of purpose and intent, I humbly accept this call to duty and God helping me, I pledge to do my utmost best to keep the dream of our founding fathers alive and take the Branch to a greater level.
Partnership with Corporate Establishments
Ilesa Branch of NSE will reinforce her push and drive for partnership with private companies and government parastatals as part of our strategy for providing synergy for the Branch. We hope to achieve this through courtesy visits and formal interactions to address current engineering issues. Additionally, the interactions with other corporate establishments would be aimed at driving the Branch to higher levels and providing solutions to “NEED” (housing, food, water, etc.) challenges confronting the larger society.
Flagship Programmes
Our mission as a team is to build on the legacy of our past leaders in order to take the Branch to greater heights. This executive will be concentrating on membership drive, professional development and welfare of her members, and securing and equipping a permanent Secretariat for the Branch. All these we intend to achieve by collaborating with well meaning Organizations, Institutions and relevant bodies. We have drawn up lines of programmes to be executed, amongst which is to hold a public lecture in honour and appreciation of our past Chairmen. We also hope to hold a maiden Annual Lecture tagged “Engr. S. O. Fadahaunsi Memorial Lecture”. Engr. S. O. Fadahaunsi was a past president of the society (1968-1969) who coincidentally was from this Town.
Our Request
NSE is a non-profit and non-governmental organization; our desired success rests on the support we look forward to receiving. Please kindly permit us to use this medium to humbly request for your kind support and assistance towards a successful execution of a number of our programmes. We sincerely hope you would oblige us when the need arises and please be assured that your donations would sincerely be put to good use, with integrity and proper management as our watchwords.
Unity of All
No doubt there had been misunderstanding amongst members in the past that has had its own effect on the growth of the Branch, but the earlier we realize that this Branch has come to stay and let go of any form of grievances, the sooner we shall be able to build on the legacy of the founding fathers. To err is human but to forgive is divine; and in unity we must all stand for us to be progressive and indivisible. We must all join hands for us to make giant strides
A New Dawn
I salute the courage and effort of the past Chairmen; and on behalf of the newly inducted executives, I welcome all to a new era that is destined by the special grace of God to usher in a re-branded Branch. Though the challenges and task ahead are indeed enormous in order to build a Branch worthy of emulation, but we believe with the kindness of God, support of our elders and prayer of well wishers, it shall be well! We sincerely are relying on our elders to share their wealth of experience in order to make the task of achieving the set goals realisable.
Appreciation and Gratitude
Permit me to start by acknowledging and appreciating the HRM, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, who graciously accepted to be our royal guest for today’s occasion. I appreciate the contributions of the founding fathers, those we now refer to as the “7 Wise Men”, who came together some twenty three years (23) ago to start a legacy we are now building upon. I acknowledge the tremendous visions of all the past Chairmen, starting with the pioneer Chairman, Engr. Aladeojebi to Engr. A. Oyinlola, Engr. A. A. Adetuberu, Engr. A. A. Folowosele and Engr. T. R. Bamigbade.
I acknowledge the presence of members of the State Executives and Permanent present and represented. I am most humbled by your presence and support. I say a big thank you to all members of the Press; especially my “big brother’’ and social media friend, Taiwo Ojewande, though here represented for his affirmed support and admonishments.
I want to appreciate the representative of the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Mrs. M. A. Oguntala who has being a mother indeed; guiding and embracing us most times with so much love. Your counsel, advice and support are too numerous for me to mention. The elders here present especially the Immediate Past President of NSE, Engr. I. A. Olorunfemi, I thank you for your fatherly roles at all times. I will like to particularly acknowledge; Engr. Prof. L. E. Umoru, for accepting our invitation to be the guest speaker even at a very short notice. You made us proud with your excellent and well researched paper.
My sincere thanks and appreciation go to my family members here present, especially my children (biological and adopted), for your understanding and prayers each time I am away to answer the professional call.
I deeply appreciate the effort and collective contributions of the Investiture committee, chaired by my good friend and colleague, Engr. T. O. Badamasi towards making this day a huge success. To all my friends who are here today, I appreciate the bond of friendship we share. I cannot end this list till I pour my encomium on the Management and Staff of my workplace, the Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesa (under the leadership of my mentor and boss, Engr. Dr. B. A. Olunlade). The support I have enjoyed from professional superiors and colleagues at PEDI had been awesome up till this time. You have always been so wonderful and available for me at every point in time. With you all by my side and by the special grace of God, I am so confident of a successful tenure.
Time will not allow me to start mentioning names of everyone who have taken time out to be here today. You are all special and appreciated. Thank you for your support, interest and belief in what NSE stands for, and I pledge on behalf of my executives not to let you down.
Finally, I wish to sincerely appreciate my Executive Committee and Branch members and pray that you will never lack help in time of need. (Amen).
I wish everybody journey mercies as you return to your various destinations
Long Live NSE!!!
Long Live Nigeria!!!
Thank you and God bless you.