BEING THE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF ENGR.DR ADEKUNLE IBRAHIM MUSA, FNIMechE AS THE PIONEER CHAIRMAN OF THE NIGERAIN INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, ABEOKUTA CHAPTER (11TH MARCH 2021)
Protocol
It is my pleasure to stand before you today 11th march 2021 on the occasion of the inauguration of the Nigerian institution of mechanical engineers Abeokuta chapter. The journey of this chapter begin in December 2005 during the AGM/ National Engineering Conference of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) held in Kano, Kano State where Engr (Chief) Sina Egberongbe FNSE of blessed memory introduced myself and the today’s chief host Engr Mohammed Isola Abbass FNIMechE to Engr (High Chief) Akintunde Zedomi FNIMechE, then National President of the Mechanical Engineering division of the NSE. Engr Egberongbe gave us the mandate to form the Mechanical Engineering division in Abeokuta as soon as we returned back to Abeokuta. But all efforts to do this proved abortive.
Furthermore, while ruminating on the formation of Mechanical Engineering division brought the idea back in 2013 with few of the Mechanical Engineers in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta and Water Corporation. As it was in 2005, the effort was also damped with no zeal.
We never renege on this low moral but we continue pushing till 2018 when we wrote a letter of recognition of Abeokuta chapter to the NIMechE National Headquarter in Abuja. The response from the national gave us hope and recognition as chapter of the institution. But all the conditions included in the letter from the national looked stringent and we could not afford the needed expenses for the inauguration. Again it was stopped.
On the 18th December 2019, our keynote speaker, Engr (High Chief) Akintunde Zedomi FNIMechE approached me after I was decorated with fellowship of this great institution; permit me to quote his words “Engr Musa go and work on the inauguration of NIMechE Abeokuta Chapter and I want it to be done before the mid-year of 2020”.
On my returned back to Abeokuta, I begin to brainstorm on the modalities and approached to take. Few Mechanical Engineers around me begin the work immediately by forming the inauguration committee which was headed by Engr Lanre Adesusi. We agreed on the date of 29th May 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic stopped us. The inauguration committee never stopped working during the lockdown. Immediately the federal government ease the lockdown, another date was agreed which is today.
Here we come.
I will like to appreciate the National Chairman Engr.Prof Mohammed Baba Ndaliman, FNIMechE for believing in me to grace this occasion despite his tight scheduled. I say thank you sir.
The National Deputy Chairman, Engr (Mrs) Funmi Akingbagbohun FNIMechE and other National Executive Council of NIMechE were also appreciated.
Our keynote speaker, Engr (High Chief) Akintunde Zedomi FNIMechE, the ICON of Mechanical Engineering, the prime mover of Abeokuta Chapter, High Chief sir, I say thank you sir.
To all our distinguished guests, Engr.Hon Tunji Akinosi, the Honorable Commissioner for Forestry, Ogun State; Rt.Hon Suraj Isola Adekunbi, the immediate past Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly; Engr Olanrewaju Bisiriyu, former Ogun State Head of Service and others. I say thank you so much.
Permit me to recognize my employer Dr Adeoye Odedeji, the Acting Rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta for finding time to grace this occasion out of your tight schedule. My Rector sir, thank you Oga.
Our fantastic guest speaker Engr.Prof M.A Waheed former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, who supervised my PhD programme. You are great sir.
To the home front, I acknowledge and appreciate my spouse Mrs Oluwafunmilayo Omobola Adunni and my boys Ayomide, Ayoyemi, Ayokunle for giving me the enabling environment to practice Mechanical Engineering.
To all entire Abeokuta chapter members, you are wonderful fellow in this our institution. You all stood up to see to the success of this ceremony of the inauguration and my investiture as the pioneer chairman of our chapter. You are all great.
In conclusion, my appreciation also goes to NSE Abeokuta Branch Chairman, Engr.Dr Kolawole Olonade FNSE and all the Division Chairmen in Abeokuta. I say thank you so much.
I hereby formally accept to serve as the pioneer chapter chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Abeokuta for two years (2021 – 2023) to the glory of God.
I wish you safe journey back to your respective destinations.
Thank you all for listening
Engr.Dr Adekunle Ibrahim Musa
Chairman,
The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Abeokuta Chapter
