…seek collaboration with the Anambra State Government
by MyEngineers
The Association of Women Engineers of Nigeria, APWEN, Awka Chapter, has inaugurated its third Chairman, Engr. Helen Ifeanyichukwu and members of her newly inaugurated executive. She is the Head of Department, Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic Oko
The event took place at Hilton Leisure Resort and Hotel Limited, Awka, on Saturday.
Ifeanyichukwu and her team were inaugurated in Awka. The theme of the event is “Engineering and Policing in our communities: using Indigenous Technologies and Strategies”,
In her address, the National President of APWEN, Engr. Dr. Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho tasks the new executive on the need to continue promoting the association’s ideals in the state. She said APWEN has chosen to be part of the mission of building the future of the girl-child where everyone is an equal stakeholder in the society.
According to Eterigho, who was represented by the South East APWEN Coordinator, Engr. Evangeline Ekoh, APWEN, is an all-female association in a male-dominated profession with a registered members of over 4,100 in 42 cities and 20 campuses across the six Geo-political zones of Nigeria and in the diaspora.
She recalled that the association was inaugurated in 1983 by six visionary female Engineers to encourage, enhance and excel in the ability and potential of the female gender with it vision, to also break the gender disparity by being an advocate for the advancement of female Engineers in National and Global technological development.
She said APWEN, in her thirty-nine years of existence has been an advocate for advancing the professional development of practicing female engineering, technologists and Scientists. She added that the association is also inspiring young girls in Science and engineering by sponsoring competitions and mentoring engineering students across school campuses.
Delivering the keynote address the State Commissioner Of Police, Mr Echeng Echeng represented by the Divisional Police Officer, in charge of the Central Police Station, Awka, Superintendent Leelea Vena-Chuks disclosed that they are doing all that is possible to reduce crime and criminality to the barest minimum and encouraged them to provide police with useful information to help her fight crime.
In her inaugural speech, the new Chairman, Engr. Ifeanyichukwu explained that the theme of the event was carefully chosen to reflect the presence and participation of engineers across broad spectrum of the society. She highlighted the roles of engineers in community policing and need for more positive collaborations through technology applications. She appreciated the National leadership of APWEN, on behalf of her executive and pledged to engaged members in the state on capacity building training and re-training to meet up with International best practices.
She used the occasion to seek collaboration with the Anambra State Government to actualized governor Soludo’s vission of a secure, livable and prosperous state in Nigeria.
The immediate past Chairman, Engr. Nneka Ezeani in her valedictory speech, highlighted her achievements which include milestone in advancement of professional competence of members and other aspects in promoting the vision, mission and aim of the association. This also include training of young students and graduates to prepare them for the adventure in the profession.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Sir Samuel Igbokwe expressed happiness on the elevation of one of their own, stating that with her capacity, the association will witness tremendous turn around.
The programme witnessed presentation of awards to people who have done well in engineering profession and past executive members of the association.
The event was attended by representatives of COREN, NSE, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo, the state Police Commissioner, Echeng Echeng, wife of Awka Traditional ruler, HRM Lolo Norah Nwosu and other professional colleagues in the state.
Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria is a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers created serve the professional aspiration of women in engineering to achieve professional excellence in their chosen career and become leaders in their community. It also advances career path for girls in STEM with view to increase more females engineers and to encourage women to