By Ovat Abeng
Awka, the Anambra State Capital branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has elected Engr. Mrs Oluchi Maryjane Okoli, as it first female Chairman in 33 years of existence.
Mrs Okoli was elected alongside her new executive members shortly after the Society’s Annual General Meeting AGM, held at Gelly’s Garden conference hall Awka, on Saturday 31st August, 2024.
Other officials of the body elected alongside her were the Vice Chairman, Engr. Dr. Ugochukwu Martins, General Secretary, Chioma Stella Chiegboka, Assistant General Secretary, Engr Ugwu Lawrence Ikechukwu, Financial Secretary, Engr. Mbah Chinedu Gabriel, Treasurer, Engr Sunday Nzekwe, Technical Secretary, Engr Onwurah Nzubechukwu Faith, Assistant Technical Secretary, Engr Ubah Joseph Ikenna, Publicity Secretary, Engr Okolo Arinzechukwu, Ex-Official Member two, Engr. Victor Emeka Iriakannu.
In her congratulatory speech, the National President of the Society, Engr. Margaret Oguntala, FNSE urged the newly elected leadership to run all-inclusive administration.
Engr. Oguntala, FNSE who was represented at the event by the permanent secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Engr Dr. Martins Agbili, while describing the process as credible, fair and peaceful, commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for ensuring a conducive environment for her members during the exercise.
The outgoing Chairman of the NSE Awka branch, Engr. David Chizoba Okeke, on his remark, expressed happiness over the peaceful manner members of the branch conducted themselves during the electoral process.
He informed the members that the state of affairs of the NSE Awka branch was stable and robust and saluted his team members for the unalloyed support they gave him, even though there may have been few challenges, he noted that he was happy leaving a united & progressive house having achieved great success.
Engr. Okeke assure the new leadership of his continue support to move the branch to the higher level in Nigeria.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of other executive members, the newly elected Chairman, Mrs Okoli, while appreciating God and members of the branch, particularly, her male counterpart for seeing her through the process of electing her as the first female Chairman of the Awka branch, said the branch was established in 1991, immediately after the State was created.
She appealed to her co-contesters, especially, her closest rival, Engr. Chidi Obiudu to support her for the betterment of NSE, Anambra State and Nigeria as a whole.
It was gathered that the newly elected leadership is expected to pilot the affairs of the body for a period of two years.
