The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Umuahia branch has installed Engr Ohia Uzoma Donatus as her 9th chairman to pilot the affairs of the association for the next two years.
The ceremony which took place at the Rapha Hotels Umuahia had in attendance the Timbers and Calibers in the Engineering profession.
Giving his Inaugural address, Engr Donatus expressed gladness for coming on board as the nineth chairman of the association, revealing that the executive committee has outlined numerous activities for the year 2020 which are drawn from the objectives of the Society as enshrined by her founding fathers.
The objectives which he said are to promote the advancement of engineering education, research and practice in all its ramifications would be vigorously pursued by his tenure, thereby, contributing greatly to maintaining and enhancing the professional capacities of NSE members, so as to further equip them in fulfilling the needs of the profession for the good of all.
Speaking on the theme of the event which he said was apt, Engr Donatus said the theme, ‘The Nigerian Engineer: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, was borne out of the desire for sober reflections, stock keeping and accountability.
He stressed that the theme highlights the need for the Nigerian Engineer to be on the fore front in the quest for sustainable infrastructural development.
Engr Donatus further lamented the use of reduced materials in the production of a ‘good’ for the purpose of saving resources, which he stated have led to the sorry state of infrastructure in developing world.
The NSE boss, however, said that the incessant cases of excessive uncontrolled flooding, global warming, failed infrastructures among others require that engineers go back to the first principle and definition of terms to find out what must be done to avert future calamities and prevent uncontrolled deterioration of basic infrastructure.
Engr Donatus while promising not take for granted the confidence reposed on him, thanked the Abia state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for heeding to the request of NSE by appointing Engineers into the State Executive Council, establishing of Engineering desk at the Development Agencies, establishing of an Engineering faculty at the Abia State University Uturu , as well as the coming back of Golden Guinea Breweries PLC.
Earlier, the out-gone chairman of NSE Umuahia, Engr Prof. Udochukwu Onwuka, thanked the NSE members for supporting his administration to record a roller coaster ride of achievements.
Recounting the achievements of his administration, he stated that his tenure was able to set up a welfare scheme for its members, birth the students wing of NSE Umuahia, witness the come back of Golden Guinea Breweries PLC among others.
He revealed that some of the challenges that would confront the new executive would be that of finance to carry out projects, as members are nonchalant about their financial obligations to the association due to the poor payment of engineers in the state.
While wishing his successor and his team of executive members a successful tenure, pledged his total support to their regime.
Meanwhile, the chairman on the occasion and representative of the National President of NSE, Engr Eugene.C. Iroakanzi, advised the newly installed executive to ensure they create a synergy between them and the out-gone executive and also carry everyone along in their activities, especially the elders in the association, who he said know about some information of NSE that can help them excel. He stressed that he has worked so hard for Umuahia NSE to stand, therefore, the new set of officers should not defeat that effort.
Engr Iroakanzi further admonished the newly inductees to put in their best so that the association can fly in Umuahia, stressing that they should not abandon the society after collecting their certificates.
