The Association Of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Umuahia Chapter, is set to induct the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, Abia State, Engr. Izuchukwu Onwughara as its new patron.
Engr. Mrs Tolubanwo Stephanie (Ph.D), APWEN Umuahia Chapter Chairman in her speech in Umuahia, during the felicitation visit to Engr. Onwughara, who was recently appointed as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said that he was chosen as the Associations patron, having identified him as a symbol of hardwork and passion for the Engineering profession and his job.
While congratulating the Permanent Secretary on his elevation, the APWEN Chairman, observed also that Engr. Don Otumchere Oti, Commissioner for Works is the first Professional/Certified Engineer to head the Ministry since the history of Abia State.
Mrs Tolubanwo, who appreciated the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for putting a round peg in a round hole, also passionately solicited that more female Engineers be employed/engaged in the Ministry.
Lending her voice, the Secretary of the Association, Engr. Mrs Chibuogwu Okoro, said that the APWEN Umuahia Chapter has been faced with challenges bordering on logistics and dearth of membership.
She said that the Association’s choice of Engr. Onwughara for a patron was to serve as their backbone in the task of revamping/rejuvenating APWEN in Umuahia.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Works, Engr. Izuchukwu Onwughara, appreciated APWEN Umuahia Chapter for the visit and for extending the hand of fellowship to him.
Engr. Onwughara, who narrated his story and his movement from the Works Ministry to NEWMAP and his journey back to the Ministry, appreciated God, who made his way pleasing in the sight of the Works Commissioner, who he described as highly energetic, creative and innovative.
The Permanent Secretary who maintained that Engineers are problem solvers, encouraged members of APWEN to embark on a new engineering innovation geared towards promoting infrastructure, technological development and reduce reliance on foreign goods as well as boost the nation’s gross domestic products.
Also to encourage critical thinking skills and promotion of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education leading to driving passion for innovation among the female secondary students, Engr. Onwughara tasked the APWEN to visit Schools, organize science quiz competition, career talk and also invite them to their programmes.
He said that supporting the STEM education and giving the female secondary students proper attention with free educational materials has potential in winning the future generations of APWEN and also harnessing economic growth and development.
