Court judgement paves way for installation of first female president of nigerian society of engineers

The High Court sitting in Kuje, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has set aside an interlocutory injunction, stopping the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) election and the inauguration of the association’s first female president, Engr. Margaret Oguntala.

Penpushing reports that Justice Venchak Gaba in a judgement delivered December 18,2023 in favour of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the elected first female President of the society, while setting aside the injunction ordering that a caretaker committee take over the running of the association until January when the substantive suit would be considered.

The record, however, has it that having been duly elected as Deputy President during the Annual General Meeting on December 9, 2021, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala will become the first elected female President in the history of the body.

Penpushing further reports that the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) established by a group of young engineers in 1958 parades over 65,000 members, and its constitution mandates that incumbent Deputy Presidents will automatically become President after the expiration of the President’s 2-year tenure.

The elected President has been a member since 1999 and a fellow since 2010, having served in various capacities, including Chairman of the Ikeja branch between 2010 and 2011, National Executive member in 2012 and 2013, Vice President in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and Deputy President from 2021, while she is also the founder of BAMSAT Nigeria Limited and a board director of several companies.

Penpushing also reports that number of the members of the society among them Mr. Olusola Aluko expressed excitement about the prospect of having a woman to lead the association since its establishment decades ago

‘The association has been fortunate to have capable leaders. With Mrs. Margaret Oguntala’s track record, we can expect the association’s future to be secure. Her strong commitment to values such as ethics and standards, coupled with her leadership skills, bodes well for the improvement of Nigeria’s socio-economic environment’, Aluko said

“The association has been fortunate to have capable leaders. With Mrs. Margaret Oguntala’s track record, we can expect the association’s future to be secure. Her strong commitment to values such as ethics and standards, coupled with her leadership skills, bodes well for the improvement of Nigeria’s socio-economic environment.”

Penpushing reports that, former Vice President of the association, Engr Nkechi Isigwe noted that Oguntala, as Vice President of body, succeeded in getting companies to partner with the organization and empowered young engineers.

‘For the first time in NSE, we will witness an all-inclusive developmental programme that would move NSE and the nation forward. Many years ago, there used to be a lot of rancour during the election for the Presidency of NSE which was unhealthy and disruptive’, she said.

‘To ensure that peace reigned and acrimony was eliminated in the Society, some of us were mandated to find a solution. We decided that the post of the President would no longer be contested for and dispute either in Court or otherwise would not be entertained.”

‘While the excitement among members is rooted in Mrs. Margaret Oguntala’s strong attributes, the historical significance of her presidency adds to the anticipation surrounding the inauguration. In a time when gender balance is a critical concern, especially in Nigeria, where women make up only 18.75% of the federal cabinet against the 35% benchmark, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala’s election as President-Elect of NSE is indeed a cause for celebration.

‘The Nigerian Society of Engineers serves as the umbrella organization for the engineering profession in Nigeria. The Society addresses the professional needs of its members through well-structured programs and regular interactions among different membership cadres, promoting high professional standards and ethical practices’.

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