By Correspondent in Minna.
Engineer (Mrs) Margaret Aina Oguntala,34th NSE President.
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has commended the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) over the emergence of its first female President, Engineer (Mrs.) Margaret Aina Oguntala FNSE.
The 33rd President, Engineer Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, while handing over the mantle of leadership to the 34th President, for the first female to occupy such seat,in its 65 years of existence is no mean feat.
The APWEN President, Engineer (Dr.) Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho, commended Oguntala for making history as the first female President of the NSE and encouraging more female to study engineering.
Engineer Eterigho said the emergence of Margaret Aina Oguntola was an indications that whatever a man can do, women can do if not better, adding that Oguntola had proved that women had come of age, and ready to take their right place in any profession in Nigeria.
“This momentous occasion on this 21st day of December, 2023 serves as an inspirational milestone for women engineers in Nigeria representing significant step towards gender equality within the engineering profession,”he said.
Eterigho expressed immense joy and pride that the ground breaking achievement occurred during her tenure as President of APWEN, saying that the election of Margaret Oguntala symbolized the growing recognition of the contributions of female engineers to the growth and development of the Nigerian society.
The APWEN President said: “What we witnessed on this historic 21st December, 2023 is also sending powerful signals that gender is never a limit to opportunities for anyone in any field of expertise in Nigeria”.
“Women engineers have consistently proven their capabilities and prowess in the Nigerian engineering industry.
“While we congratulate the present President, we are also grateful to past Presidents, the Council, and every member of the NSE, generally, for the history made”.
“We trust that she will lead the Nigerian Society of Engineers to greater heights.
” As the first female President, we are confident that she will bring fresh perspective, innovative ideas, and a deep commitment to empowering women engineers”, the statement indicates.
APWEN called on the new NSE president to use her position to promote the advancement of women engineers by leveraging on her expertise and leadership to foster mentorship programmes, establish platforms for exchange of knowledge, advocate for policies that would encourage female representations at both local and international levels in the profession.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
