The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Abeokuta Branch, has honoured five of its members from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, following their elevation to the highest cadres of their academic and professional careers. The honourees were Engr. Dr. Olujide A. Adenekan, FNSE; Engr. Dr. Rilwan Olaolu Oliyide; Engr. Dr. Monsuru Oyenola Popoola, FNSE; and Engr. Dr. Olasunkanmi Adekitan, who were appointed Chief Lecturers, as well as Engr. Adetayo Olugbemi, who was elevated to Chief Technologist. The special reception, held in GRA, Ibara, Abeokuta, attracted MAPOLY management representatives, Fellows and senior members of NSE, past Chairmen and elders of the Branch, academics, professional colleagues and other invited guests.
Speaking at the event, the then Chairman of NSE Abeokuta Branch, Engr. Olumayowa Ayodeji Idowu, FNSE, described the occasion as a celebration not merely of promotion, but of excellence, perseverance, professional growth and years of dedicated service to engineering education, technology and human-capital development.
He stressed the need for professional bodies to deliberately celebrate the achievements of their members, noting that recognition of excellence could motivate other engineers to aspire to greater accomplishments.
Idowu challenged the honourees to translate their elevations into greater service to the profession through mentorship, professional development and stronger academia-industry collaboration. He urged them to participate more actively in NSE activities, mentor younger engineers and share their wealth of academic and professional experience, adding: “Your elevation should therefore represent not only advancement within Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, but also the beginning of an even greater level of service to your professional body.”
The Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Arc. Dr. Koyejo Jolaoso, represented by the institution’s Director of Skills Acquisition, Engr. Dr. Olanrewaju Ahmed Apampa, FNSE, congratulated the honourees and described their elevation as a reflection of years of dedication, hard work and commitment to academic and technological development.
He noted that attaining the position of Chief Lecturer or Chief Technologist comes with increased responsibility and expressed confidence that the honourees would continue to deploy their knowledge and experience towards the advancement of MAPOLY, development of students and younger professionals, and growth of the engineering profession.
The Rector also commended NSE Abeokuta Branch for celebrating the professional accomplishments of its members and strengthening the relationship between academia and the professional engineering community.
Idowu also paid special tribute to Engr. Dr. Olanrewaju Ahmed Apampa, FNSE, the 14th Chairman of NSE Abeokuta Branch, whom he described as one of the people who significantly influenced his leadership journey. Recalling his service as General Secretary under Apampa between 2018 and 2020, Idowu said he learnt valuable lessons in administration,
organisational management and leadership. He cited the acquisition of the Branch’s bus as an example of leadership continuity, explaining that the initiative commenced during Apampa’s administration and was eventually completed during his own tenure. “That is how leadership should work: one administration plants, another waters, and ultimately the institution benefits,” he said.
Past Chairmen of NSE Abeokuta Branch, who spoke in turns, congratulated the honourees and commended them for bringing honour to the Branch and engineering profession. In their separate goodwill messages, they emphasised professional excellence, mentorship and sustained service to NSE, urging the newly elevated professionals to see their appointments as opportunities for even greater contributions to engineering education and society. Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Engr. Dr. Rilwan Olaolu Oliyide thanked the leadership and members of the Branch for the recognition, describing their elevation as the product of years of dedication, perseverance, research, learning and service. He assured the Branch that the honourees would continue to contribute their knowledge and experience towards engineering education, mentorship of younger professionals and development of NSE.
Reflecting on his two-year administration, Idowu attributed the achievements recorded under his leadership to teamwork and the contributions of the Executive Committee, past Chairmen, elders, members, partners and the wider engineering community. He urged the succeeding administration to consolidate on the achievements recorded, sustain viable initiatives, introduce fresh ideas and take the Branch to greater heights. The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates and plaques to the honourees, goodwill messages, response on behalf of the honourees, group photographs, dinner, networking and entertainment, bringing the reception to a close as a celebration of professional excellence, institutional continuity and commitment to the development of the engineering profession.
