In a landmark moment at the 34th investiture ceremony of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Abubakar Momoh FNSE seized the opportunity to advocate for a collaborative effort to address the dire impact of climate change in the Niger Delta region.
The ceremony marked the historic investiture of Engr. Magaret Aina Oguntola, FNSE, as the first female president of the NSE, said Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah, a Special Assistant to the Minister.
Minister Abubakar Momoh, who was in attendance, passionately appealed to the NSE leadership to forge a strong alliance with the Niger Delta Ministry to uplift the region from its current state of impoverishment caused by the adverse effects of climate change. The minister highlighted how climate change has taken a toll on the region, transforming it into a lamentable and impoverished state.
The heart of the minister’s plea was a call to action – a call for the NSE to lend its expertise and support to the Niger Delta Development Ministry in the battle against climate change. He emphasized the importance of decarbonizing the environment and stressed the need for engineering professionals to actively assist the ministry in implementing effective strategies to mitigate the environmental challenges faced by the region.
Moreover, Minister Momoh urged the newly sworn-in president, Engr. Magaret Aina Oguntola, FNSE, to play a pivotal role in expanding the NSE’s membership. Setting an ambitious target, he challenged the leadership to achieve a membership base of over 100 thousand within the next two years. According to the minister, a larger and more diverse membership would enhance the society’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Engr. Magaret Aina Oguntola, FNSE, in her inaugural address as the 34th president, outlined her visionary plans for her tenure. With a commitment to propelling the NSE to greater heights,Oguntola shared a roadmap that included initiatives to enhance the professional standing of engineers, foster innovation, and contribute to national development.
The investiture ceremony drew high-profile attendees, including the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau Jibrin, who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio. State Governors, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and other prominent Nigerians also graced the occasion, underscoring the significance of the NSE in the national discourse.
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