The Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers Abeokuta Branch, Engr. Ismail Adetunji Adenuga, FNSE has described the legacy of the Late Phillip Bolude Oyebolu as extending far beyond engineering sector, leaving an indelible mark in all areas of life.
Speaking on Monday when he led a delegation of Abeokuta Branch – the Gateway Branch, of the Nigerian Society of Engineers to the family of late Phillip Bolude Oyebolu at his Presidential hill top residence of Abeokuta, Adenuga said Pa Oyebolu was always a lover of peace, and an inspiration for the branch, stating further that the entire NSE has lost a great leader and mentor.
“Pa Oyebolu represented unity and harmony among all the engineers in the country because his relationship cuts across everybody. He lived a life of impact, a life of service, dedication, and contribution”, he said.
Nigeria and Ogun State in particular, has missed one of our greatest reservoirs of engineering knowledge. He represented the quintessential engineer – knowledgeable, astute and practical.
In the same vein, a former Chairman of Abeokuta Chairman, Engr. O.L. Oyewunmi, FNSE also conveyed the collective sympathies of the branch to his widow, Mrs Magaret Fibisola Oyebolu and the family on the passing of their late Patriarch who was not only a distinguished engineer but also a Past President of NSE, saying his contributions to the profession will always be remembered. “Egbaland has lost one of its illustrious sons who dedicated his life to nation building and served as a great mentor to the young ones”, Oyewunmi said.
The delegation which included members of the Spouses Forum, Past Branch Chairmen and elders of the branch expressed solidarity with the Oyebolu family during this difficult time. The delegates were warmly received by the wife of the deceased and Children.
In recognition of his invaluable contributions, the Secretariat of NSE Abeokuta Branch was named, Bolude Oyebolu Engineering Centre. In addition, the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, NIEEE Abeokuta in conjunction with the Branch instituted an annual public lecture in his honour in 2021.
LATE PHILLIP BOLUDE OYEBOLU, FNSE, FAEng
Born on the 16th June, 1930, Pa Phillip Bolude Oyebolu attended Government College, Ibadan before proceeding to the University of Edinburgh where he obtained B.Sc. Electrical Engineering in 1958. After graduating, he had his 2 years apprenticeship training with Marconi at Chelmsford and later worked with the company for another two years before returning to Nigeria in 1961.
On returning to Nigeria, he joined the then Department of Post and Telecommunications as an Engineer where he rose to the position of Senior Engineer in 1965 before moving over to assume the role of head of professional products Division at Phillips Nigeria Limited in 1975. In this position, he was exposed to various training courses on the different products of the company. He later formed his own Company – Messrs Molecular Consultants and Associates, a firm of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Services where he served as the Principal Consultant. He retired from the firm in 1990.
Engr Oyebolu was a foundation Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Institution of Electrical Engineers (U.K.) and Nigerian Association of Health Engineering.
Engr Oyebolu made significant contributions to the engineering profession. He notably served as the 12th President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers between 1982 -1983, and was also one time Vice President of Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). Beyond his engineering prowess, Engr Oyebolu, a reverend gentleman, dutifully served as Vicar in many parishes of the Anglican Church in Lagos including St. Batholomew Anglican Church, Surulere, Anglican Church of Pentecost, Festac Town, Lagos, Anglican Church of the Ascension, St. Judes Anglican Church, Magodo, Lagos.
