Margaret Oguntala becomes president of NSE — first ever female leader

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has elected Margaret Oguntala as the new president of the association.

According to a statement on Thursday, NSE said Oguntala is the first female president of the association in its 65-year existence.

Oguntala will take over from Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, the outgoing president of NSE. 

“It’s a new dawn in the history of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, as the incumbent and 33rd president, Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, hands over the baton of leadership to the 34th and first female president in the 65 years history of the NSE,” the statement reads. 

“Engr. Mrs. Margaret Aina Oguntala FNSE, popularly known as the “Erelu worldwide” and regarded as the mother of the modern day engineering in Nigeria by young engineers in Nigeria took the engineering world by storm when she against all odds broke the 65 years monopoly of male engineers as presidents of the prestigious association.

“She’s coming in as president with her pool of experience, exposure and networks to further consolidate on the giant strides of Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Wudil who under his leadership produced the first black man as the president of the world federation of Engineering organisation and also made history as the first president to hand over to a female president.”

‘ELECTED OFFICIALS OF NSE’

Ali Rabiu was also elected as deputy president of the association. 

Six vice-presidents were elected: Joseph Sunday Adebayo, (south-west); Danladi Ushiki Adamu, (north-east), Rose James Madaki (north-west); Felicia Nnenna Agubata, (south-east); Bemogho Ofoeyeno (south-south) and Ademola Isaac Agoro (south-west).

The new national executive committee also comprised Ibrahim Hammadikko (north-east); Aliyu Dutsinma Ibrahim (north-east); Rachel Serumun Ugye (north-central); Ndifon Mbeh Agbiji (south-south); Abraham Aghadike, (south-east), and Olumide Moses Ogundipe (south-west). 

Greg Obiajulu Ashibuogu, Clara Chizoba Anyanwu-Amadi, and Omolola Adenike Adetona were elected as statutory audit committee members.

Speaking on the transition, Tasiu Gidari-Wudil said the election was held after the court set aside an earlier interlocutory injunction stopping it.

“The background information is that one of the contestants in the 2021 elections who felt aggrieved about the outcome of the election results went to an Abuja High Court and secured an interlocutory injunction stopping the 2023 elections,” he said.

“However, the AGM gave approval for the president to call an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) after the court case had been resolved. 

“I am happy to announce to you that on December 18, 2023, the court, having taken the application filed by the society challenging the said order and the arguments of both counsel, set aside the order it made on November 24, 2023.”

He said as agreed at the AGM, an EGM was conducted on Thursday, December 21, 2023.