From Rose Madaki to John Audu; VI Branch Building a Pride of Engineering on the Island

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Engr John Audu and Engr Rose Madaki

… set to be the Engineering Hub for homegrown technology and industrialization

…Engr Audu on consolidation mission 

When in 2006 a group of engineers working on Victoria Island began agitation for the establishment of a new branch as a result of concentration of high profile Engineering personnel and corporate organizations on the Island and its environs, the founders must have envisioned a Branch which will grow to become one of the bedrock of engineering profession in the country. However, this agitation was put into action when Engr Babagana Mohammed, (a Fellow of NSE and current Deputy President of NSE) began the actual move towards establishment of the Branch. Engr Mohammed rallies others around and laid groundwork to what now becomes NSE Victoria Island Branch.

The Nigeria Society of Engineers, NSE at the Council meeting chaired by the then president Engr. Emeka Muoma Ezeh, on November 12, 2006 received the application for establishment of NSE Victoria Island Branch submitted by Engr. Mohammed Babagana who was accompanied by Engr. Joshua A. Adeoye consequently granted the approval.

On 12th November 2007 an election was conducted which led to emergence of Engr. Taiwo H. O Elegba, as its first substantive chairman, Engr Abu Salami as vice chairman while Engr Babagana Mohammed became its first General Secretary. After him, the Branch had produced other chairmen: Engr Abu Salami, Engr Babagana Mohammed, Engr Moyosore Abdulrasheed and recently, Engr Rose Madaki all piloting the affairs of the Branch.

Years down the lane, the Branch has not only grown in leaps and bounds but has also become the choice Branch for engineers from various sectors on the Island. And so on August 29, 2019, the Branch reaches milestone as its first female chairman successfully handed over the affairs of the Branch to a new leader.

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Chinelo Okafor, Maryanne Egbe(Welfare Secretary), Rose Madaki, Funmi Ojelade, and Obiageli Akposionu(Treasurer)

The significant of this cannot be underestimated as the Branch is arguably the first Branch of NSE’s over 70 Branches with a ration 3:1 gender composition of the executive committee members.

This is an achievement that cannot be overlooked as this comes about through the active participation of women engineers in the Branches and divisions programmes as well as supports from their male counterparts.

And the leadership mantle has now fallen on another hardworking Engr John Edo Audu, a fellow of NSE, a distinguished professional with proven track records in both private sector and public sector.

In his acceptance speech, Engr Audu sets the ball rolling when he unveiled the two parameters that will define his tenure while promising to uplift the Branch ethics and serve members to the best of his capability.

The first one is continuity; where he and the new team work towards sustaining the good works done by his predecessors, consolidate and build on the gains of the outgoing leadership.

The Second parameter is to proffer engineering solutions to some of the fundamental issues bedeviling our society today. The Branch, according to him will aim at increasing social participation. As well as deepen relationship with corporate bodies as well as policymakers.

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Engr Utho Israel, Engr Funmilola Ojelade, Engr John Audu, Engr Emeka Ibeh, Engr Obiageli (Treasurer), Engr Patrick Nwogu

He said that the Branch’s slogan, “The branch that makes the difference” has been the watchword of successive chairmen as they diligently worked towards setting the Branch apart from all the others, but there has been no period in the Branch’s history during which more was achieved in this regard than the past two years under the leadership of Engr. Rose Madaki, FNSE. “

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Engr Audu praised the outgoing Chairman and extolled her leadership qualities. Saying, “Through dint of hard work and her unique leadership style, Engr. Rose Madaki steered the branch into uncharted territories.

“Through her rural development programmes, she empowered primary school pupils within the Branch’s catchment area. She took vocational training for young graduates and their spouses to a whole new level.”

“And, even more remarkable is the fact that she single-handedly got the branch registered as consultants with Total Plc. The list is endless with several other mind-blowing achievements that have truly set the branch on a pedestal befitting of its slogan.” He said.

While admitting that it will be difficult to surpass the achievements, he has set his goals towards carrying everyone along and ensuring that his team build on the massive gain and make it better than they met it. The Branch is now on the road to achieve it main vision which is to be the Engineering Hub for homegrown technology and industrialization.

Other members of the executive committee that will work with him to run the affairs of the branch are: Engr Emeka Ibeh – Vice Chairman, Engr. Christian Okwori – General Secretary, Engr. Sunday Egbiki – Assistant General Secretary, Engr. Ayoola Olufemi – Assistant Technical Secretary, Engr. . Patrick Nwogu – Financial Secretary, Engr. Israel Utho – Assistant Financial Secretary,  Engr. Babatunde James – Publicity Secretary, Engr. Aristo Bulus Tauna – Assistant Publicity Secretary,  Engr. Austyne Duru – Internal Auditor,  Engr. MaryAnne Egbe – Welfare Secretary, Engr. Obiageli Akposionu- Treasurer, Maj. Danol Adeniyi – Ex Officio 1 and Engr Rose Madaki – Immediate Past Chairman

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For us at MyEngineers, while congratulating the new leadership team and the branch for this milestone, and having covered most of their events in the past, we can boldly say that Victoria Island and the environ, being one of the most concentrated entrepreneurial and commercial hotbed of the Nigerian Economy is poised to become perhaps the most vibrant Branches in the country. The Assemblage of varying professionals in Oil and Gas sector, the military establishments and more working together for engineering indicates that the Branch indeed is here to make a difference. More than this is the fact that the Branch is moving from strength to strength and in my view, it is the Branch to watch!

My Name is Isqil Najim, You can reach me on twitter @isqilnajim

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incoming and outgoing executive committee members at their retreat after the election
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Engr John Audu and Engr Rose Madaki

Meet John Audu, the New Chairman of the Branch that Makes the Difference

 

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