Engr Nureni Adegboyega Ogunyemi has been inaugurated as the 14th National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE).
Engr Ogunyemi took over from Engr Sesan Odukoya, an Energy and Mineral Resources expert.
TOP MEDIA reports that the inauguration took place on Wednesday, February 28, at the NECA House Auditorium in Ikeja, Lagos State.
During the investiture, themed ‘Food-Energy-Water Nexus, Their Impacts on Global Warming and Flooding’, the National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the NIEE were also inaugurated.
The first female and incumbent president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Mrs. Margaret Oguntala; the Minister of Water Resources, Professor Engr Joseph Utsev, who was represented; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; all graced the event.
In his inaugural speech, Engr Ogunyemi promised to address the impacts of climate change which is disrupting the usual balance of nature.
He said: “This position shall allow us to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time; the interplay between food-energy-water, and their profound impacts on global warming and flooding”.
He added: “Our world is undergoing profound changes. Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is a reality that we must confront head-on. The nexus between food, energy and water is at the gear of this challenge and our ability to manage it effectively will shape the future.”
The Guest Speaker of the event, Professor Ifeoluwa Adewunwi, Head, Dept of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, tasked environmental engineers to be more proactive as their activities impact greatly the environment.
Professor Adewunmi stated that almost all engineering activities relating to construction, exploration, and mining contribute to environmental degradation.
During this period of severe economic hardship in Nigeria, Professor Adewunmi said there is a need for a paradigm shift and looking inwards to develop homegrown solutions to the problem.
He said: “The nationwide outcry about the high cost of everything from water to food and other essential commodities is more or less a wake-up call to look inward in finding solution to energy, developing our own steel industry to be able to have local access to materials to develop our industries.
“Individually, we must have a change of attitude and believe in ourselves.”
Check out the list of the NEC members of the NIEE as officially constituted:
- Engr Nureni Adegboyega Ogunyemi
- Engr Caius Umekesiobi
- Engr Mrs O.O Agboola
- Engr Mrs I.A Lawal
- Engr Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe
- Engr O.M Ojowuro
- Engr Dr. Murtadha Tijani
- Engr Dr. Muritala Ibrahim
- Engr. A.M Gege
- Engr Mustapha Mufutau
- Engr Prof. M.J Ayotamuro
- Engr Tech. Aneke Simeon R.
- Engr Dr. Chigoke Uzuegbu
- Engr Sesan Odukoya
