The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria(APWEN), a division of Nigerian Society of Engineers(NSE), Ibadan Chapter, on Saturday swore in Engr. Raheemat Adabanija as its 4th chairman.
Speaking at the investiture in Ibadan, Adabanija promised that APWEN under new executives would continue to be the catalyst for the advancement of women in the engineering profession towards national and global technological development.
She said that APWEN would continue to explore the emerging technologies skills such as artificial intelligence and robotics due to its relevance across all professional fields.
Adabanija added that the association would seek more partnership with relevant organisations and professional bodies to facilitate initiatives that would encourage young girls to pick interest in becoming female engineers in future.
“We aim to continuously increase awareness that engineering is a career for girls, thereby improving the numerical strength of female engineers, and to encourage women and girls to achieve professional excellence as engineers and leaders, promoting the engineering profession as a positive force in enhancing the quality of life, “she said.
Engr. Olufunmilade Akingbagbohun, the guest speaker and former National Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineers(NIMechE), urged engineers to use their skills to provide solutions to the numerous challenges facing the country.
She noted that Nigeria currently needs engineers that would come up with solutions and innovations that would move the country to the next level in the nation’s economic development.
She urged female engineers in the country to create a positive mindset towards leadership and professional development so as to cope in the evolving engineering landscape.
Akingbagbohun, a fellow of NSE commended APWEN for creating several laudable initiatives that would encourage girls to develop interest in studying engineering courses.
Earlier, the APWEN National President, Dr Adebisi Osim, in her remarks reiterated that the association would continue to work hard to ensure that more girls enrol in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) that would lead them to a career in engineering.
Osim, a fellow of NSE, said that APWEN has embarked on advocacy and career talk for the girl-child in primary and secondary schools, while several mentorship programmes were conducted across higher institutions to ensure that the girls do not drop out from the engineering courses to another.
“We encourage them and ensure that they graduate as engineers and practice the profession.The target is to have more engineers in the country, especially females, “she said.
The event also featured recognitions and presentation of awards to cooperate organisations and individuals for their contributions to the association.
