On Friday 14th April, 2023, NSE Manchester (UK) Branch welcomed the NSE Deputy President, Engr. Margaret Oguntala, FNSE, FNSChE – ERELU to the Branch’s public lecture and tour of the ultra modern Engineering building at the University of Manchester (UoM).
The NSE Deputy president, Engr. Margaret Oguntala attended the branch’s public lecture and tour of the Engineering building at UoM; an event which was organised to welcome her officially to Manchester.
Also in attendance were an array of distinguished guests both physically and online via zoom video conferencing. Present virtually at the event were the NSE President, Engr. Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudil, FNSE, SMIEE, FNIEE, MNIM, Ambassador A.O Shuaibu who represented H.E. Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, OFR, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, the Branch patron and past President, The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ademola Olorunfemi, FNSE, FAEng, whilst the following attended in person; the pioneer President of Afreximbank (African Export-Import Bank), H.E. Dr. Christopher Edordu, the leader of Bury Metropolitan Borough Council in Greater Manchester & Greater Manchester combined authority and a portfolio lead for education, skills, work apprenticeships and digital, Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Elected Councillor of Manchester City Council, Councillor Professor Erinma Bell, MBE, the pioneer chairman, NSE Manchester branch, Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu and the host and chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers Manchester Brach Engr. Patrick Obidoyin.
The Master of Ceremonies was Dr. Olamide Jogunola (Lecturer in cyber security and smartgird, Manchester Metropolitan University), the event featured an informative public lecture titled “An Innovative Framework for Embedding and Assessing Management Contents in Engineering Education” delivered by Engr. Dr. Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo PhD, FIMechE, FHEA, CEng, MNSE, Head of Mechanical Engineering Education, School of Engineering at The University of Manchester, UK.
The lecture provided valuable insights into the need to further bridge the management skills gap between the industry and the engineering curriculum and equally highlighted the effectiveness of restructured delivery framework of engineering courses in order to maximise students’ engagement.
The NSE Manchester branch chairman, EUR ING Patrick Obidoyin seized the opportunity to present the Branch’s strategic plan. In his remarks, the NSE President, Engr. Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudil appreciated the laudable achievements and efforts of the NSE Manchester Branch for the continuous professional development and engagement of her members.
Further remarks were given by Dr. Christopher Edordu, who related his several years of working in the finance industry and the close relationships the industry had with engineers and engineering projects. Ambassador A.O Shuaibu on behalf of the High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom equally lauded the strides of the NSE Manchester Branch, and implored the engineering members to further look into the challenges faced in Nigeria especially in structural engineering and buildings integrity.
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien complimented the Nigerian professionals, engineers and academics on their active participation in various fields of achievements, especially in engineering. He also expressed his willingness to continue supporting engineering education and feats as instilled in Greater Manchester proud heritage in Science and Engineering. Councillor Professor Erinma Bell MBE discussed her proud Nigerian heritage and close associations with engineers, and the need to further promote STEM fields to the younger generation while Engr. Ademola Olorunfemi commended the efforts of the NSE Manchester branch for organising the event and promoting engineering.
In her remarks, the NSE deputy president, Engr. Margaret Oguntala who is also a financial member of the NSE Manchester branch, congratulated the branch chairman, EUR ING Patrick Obidoyin for putting together the event in a short notice; a testament to his social capital and good working dynamics of the NSE Manchester Branch. The Deputy president appreciated the pioneer ExCo members, under the leadership Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu for the foresight in bringing to fruition the new branch of the NSE. The Chairman and the new executives of NSE Manchester Branch for the year 2022/2023 NSE year were inaugurated and presented with inaugural letters by the Deputy president.
The new executives are:
- Engr. Patrick Obidoyin Chairman
- Dr. Robert Ataria vice chairman
- Engr. Joseph Ediae General Secretary
- Dr. Mutiu Adeoye Alabi-Bello Assistant General Secretary
- Engr. Stephen Grenville Financial Secretary
- Engr. Oladipo Tobais Treasurer
- Engr. Dr Kelvin Anoh Technical Secretary
- Engr. Ahmed Mohammed Assistant Technical Secretary
- Engr. Adeleye Adeyemi Membership Secretary
- Engr. Dr. Lilian Iheukwumere-Esotu Assistant Membership Secretary
- Dr. Ibrahim Sanusi (publicity Secretary)
- Engr. Dr. Akeem Abiodun Babatunde Welfare Secretary
- Engr. Chukwuma Ogbonnaya Assistant Welfare Secretary
- Ferdinand Ukaegbu – Newsletter Editor
- Engr. Kenneth Oronsaye Special projects lead
- Engr. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu Ex-Officio I (Pioneer chairman – NSE Manchester Branch)
- Engr. Prof. Bamidele Adebisi Ex-Officio II
Furthermore, two members, in persons of Engr. Tai Fadipe-Davids and Engr. Dr. Lilian Iheukwumere-Esotu were officially inducted as corporate members of The Nigerian Society of Engineers.
The immediate past chairman of the NSE Manchester Branch gave the vote of thanks and thanked all the participants for the success of the event.
Signed
Dr. Ibrahim Sanusi
Publicity Secretary – NSE Manchester Branch
About Engr. Patrick Obidoyin
Engr. Patrick Obidoyin is a co-founder of Lancaster farms and Innovation Hub. A strong advocate of agricultural transformation through modernisation and use of technology. Engr. Obidoyin is a firm believer in the inclusion of youth in the agribusiness value chains through establishment of incubation and innovation centres to promote agriculture commercialisation.
He is also the founder Digital infraCo (UK & Nigeria); a company helping to bridge digital divide. He is a seasoned telecommunications professional and entrepreneur. Patrick has been with TalkTalk Group (UK) for the last 15 years and has acquired extensive experience in the provision of broadband services, wireless, IPTV, VoIP services and building large scale telecommunications infrastructure. He has a cumulative experience of 22 years in the telecommunications industry. One of his primary responsibilities includes working with stakeholders within and outside TalkTalk to design & commission new services, grow capacity, build resiliency / traffic engineering and improve Quality of service on the network.
Prior to TalkTalk, Patrick worked at General Data Engineering services PLC (Skannet) as Technical client services manager. In this role he looked after customers in Eastern region of Nigeria and was responsible for overall management of Enugu POP. He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (USA), Chartered Engineer & Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology – UK and a Corporate Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers. Patrick trained as an Electronic & Electrical Engineer at Ladoke Akintola university of Technology, Ogbomoso before completing a Masters in Data Telecommunications & Networks at University of Salford – United Kingdom. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Lancaster University Management School, UK.
Engr. Obidoyin is also a director on the Board of Psaltry International (UK) Limited, where he is leading the charge to promote export of High quality Nigerian products into the UK market & EU market.
Engr. Obidoyin volunteers his time to for the uplift of the Community; he is currently involved in the following roles: Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers Manchester Branch, Immediate past Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Society of Engineers Manchester Branch, Member, Board of Trustee – Nigeria community Manchester – NCM (Community of Nigerians in Manchester & Greater Manchester) UK Registered Charity, Immediate past General secretary – Nigeria community Manchester – NCM (Community of Nigerians in Manchester & Greater Manchester), Financial secretary of EFN – Engineering forum of Nigerians in U.K, Industry representative for IET; Institution of Engineering & Technology @ Talktalk, Digital champion @ Hamilton Davies Trust
About NSE Manchester
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) is the umbrella organization for the Engineering Profession in Nigeria. The Society looks after the professional needs of members through well structured programmes and regular interactions among the different cadre of membership, enhancing high professional standard and ethical practices.
The Manchester branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) is in its infancy stage and is currently in the process of being inaugurated into a full branch of the Association and would be based at the University of Manchester. The main goal of the Association is to create a platform that brings Students, Researchers and Professionals together to exchange expertise, experiences, ideas and develop useful skills to support development in Nigeria and enhance human capacity among Nigerians at home and diaspora.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) was Founded on 16th February, 1958 major challenge by a group of young Nigerian graduate engineers and students in the UK, the Society was inaugurated at the Nigerian House in London. The NSE is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a company Limited by guarantee.
It was incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital in 1967. The original Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended on 1st December 1998. Like some of its counterparts in other professions, the Society has distinguished itself through progressive and imaginative programmes to become the avenue for the professional development of its members as well as technological development of the country.