The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has passionately appealed to President Bola Tinubu to empower female engineers with the opportunity to rejuvenate the country’s dormant refineries. This call was made by the newly-elected APWEN Lagos Chapter Chairman, Mrs. Atinuke Owolabi, during the association’s Annual General Meeting and public lecture held in Ikeja.
Mrs. Owolabi asserted that the collective expertise of female engineers across various sectors could lead the way in rehabilitating the refineries, offering the assurance that they could achieve this feat within a year. She urged President Tinubu to challenge female engineers to take on this vital task, expressing confidence that they could revamp and re-establish refinery operations through innovative solutions.
Highlighting the importance of empowering indigenous engineers, Owolabi emphasized that nations seeking development must harness the talents and capabilities of their local professionals. She praised the innate qualities of female engineers in terms of management and excellence, advocating for their involvement in crucial infrastructure projects such as road construction.
Owolabi asserted that the nation should reduce its reliance on foreign expertise and offer more opportunities to competent local engineers. She underscored that engineering is a fundamental pillar of development, and it is imperative for the country’s leaders to prioritize empowering indigenous engineers.
The Lagos APWEN Chapter Chairman, also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, pledged to focus on mentorship and skill development for young engineers during her tenure. She additionally committed to collaborating with other non-governmental organizations and outlined development plans for communities within Lagos.
Addressing the audience, guest speaker Mrs. Olayinka Abdul discussed the role of female engineers in building sustainable infrastructure. Abdul highlighted the urgency of exploring green alternatives amidst rising fuel prices. She elaborated on the benefits of green buildings, which conserve energy and offer substantial long-term advantages.
Abdul lauded Lagos’ efforts in renewable energy investment and cited examples of viable local technologies overlooked due to a preference for foreign trends. She encouraged APWEN to educate communities on generating power from waste materials.
The event included panel discussions on ways to enhance water supply in Lagos and measures against workplace discrimination. Panelists explored avenues for mentorship and advocacy to bolster the capabilities of female engineers.
