Let us make History Together: APWEN Calls out Engineers

Elizabeth Eterigho 

Engr. Mrs. Margaret Aina Oguntala is at the cusp of making history as the first female President in the  Nigerian Society of Engineers 65-year history, having been duly elected in 2021 as the Deputy President of the society and was ratified during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the same year. 

The judicial interference through interlocutory injunction from a nascent faction calls for a deep concern. 

Beyond raising questions about gender dynamics in Nigerian elections, this incident has initiated a concerning trend, whereby individuals within the family could employ legal manoeuvres with potentials to ruin our cohesion as an entity . 

Although judicial intervention in election matters is constitutionally permissible, the use of injunctions, whether ex-parte or interlocutory, on election-related issues is regarded as regressive. It is an ill wind that will blow none any good on the long run . 

Stopping the investiture of a duly elected deputy president is neither strategic nor progressive especially at a time when the nation and the world in general are talking about diversity, inclusion and gender equity. 

APWEN has developed a diversity and inclusion policy through the Royal Academy of Engineering sponsorship and this document was endorsed by both NSE and COREN in 2020. How do we explain non compliance to our domestic and international publics ? 

Indeed , how do we raise our head  or beat our chest and claim that we are compliant ? 

We are unflinching in our total support for Engr. Mrs. Oguntala’s mandate and will follow up rationally and  logically until the right thing is done. 

Engr. Oguntala’s competence, commitment and skill are not in question as amply shown in the votes from all and sundry during the elections. 

Some of her key achievements  whilst on the saddle as chairman, Ikeja branch are as follows. She  superintended over the completion of the branch secretariat building and moved it to its permanent site.

Under her watch, Ikeja Branch came first consecutively in Branch Group Dynamics for two years. She served meritoriously as Vice President three times, leading the corporate resource and media; and giving a new impetus to The Nigerian Engineer magazine. 

She also served as a member of the Governing Board of the Lagos State Polytechnic; and was a member of College Industry Board, College of Engineering, Covenant University.

Eterigho is the President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN)