The Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE) has inaugurated its Lagos Chapter, with Mr Ibrahim Abiodun as the pioneer Chairman of the chapter, following an election by the members.
In an address on Saturday in Lagos, Dr Adeyinka Sobowale, National Chairman of NIWA, said that the Abiodun led executive would run for a period two years.
Sobowale said that with the inauguration of the NIWE Lagos chapter, the institution’s chapters across the country had increased to 15.
He expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated executive of the Lagos chapter would deliver on its mandate, while urging members to work hard and selflessly.
According to him, NIWE members are highly trained, competent professionals that can engage the government on imminent water challenges, proffer solutions and way forward.
Sobowale said that Lagos was an important state with multifaceted water supply challenge, hence inaugurating the chapter would surely help the state government and the nation at large.
“As a concerned institution saddled with the responsibility of developing water resources and ensuring best practices, NIWE owes it as a duty to deploy its Think Tank team to Lagos state.
“Government must be seen not to be alone in solving the problem of water. Professional, stakeholders and water users have the responsibility to ensure effective water supply, distribution and maintenance.
“Water supply has assumed an integrated approach worldwide, and everybody is concerned because it is an essential commodity needed for survival.
“All stakeholders must be brought on board to sensitise the public on the judicious use of water, ensuring that no illegal connection, adequate distribution and safeguarding of our water source,”he said.
In his remark, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, Group Managing Director, Lagos State Water Corporation, congratulated Abiodun and the new executive.
Tijani expressed confidence that under the pioneer leadership, NIWE, Lagos chapter would reach new heights and set benchmarks in the water engineering field that will inspire generations to come.
The managing director, however, said that water and sanitation concerns were not just technical issues.
“They are matters of life and death, as approximately two billion people across the world lack access to improved water sources,” he said.
Tijani charged NIWE members and policyholders to break away from old paradigms and act proactively to address water and sanitation problem.
“As we embark on this new chapter under the leadership of Engineer Abiodun and his team, let us commit ourselves to the task ahead with renewed energy and determination.
“Together, we can transform the landscape of water engineering in Nigeria and beyond, creating a future where access to clean water and sanitation is not a luxury, but a basic human right, ” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Abiodun, commended NIWE for inaugurating the Lagos chapter of the institute.
He also appreciated the chapter’ members for the trust reposed on him to be elected as chairman and pledged not to disappoint them.
“The chapter will grow to your aspirations and be loyal to the national body.
“We will partner with the Lagos State Water Corporation, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to improve water supply, hygiene, distribution and maintenance,” he said.
The chairman promised to promote a formidable team with focus to bring together all engineers in water related field to promote a strong organisational structure for NIWE in Lagos.
He appealed to all water related agencies of the state to encourage their water engineering personnel to join NIWE and help it achieve its goal and objectives in the state.
The Guest lecturer, Dr Kolawole Olonade from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, expressed worry that about 50 per cent lack access to safe water in Nigeria, while 60 per cent lack access to improved sanitation.
Olonade charged water engineers and the government to profer solutions to the challenge by creating adequate awareness on the importance and conservation of water.
He advised the engineers to also leverage Artificial Intelligence solutions that can help detect leakages, reduce wastage and promote access to public toilet system.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that other elected executives of NIWE Lagos are Mrs Olayinka Odimayo,Vice Chairman, Mr Festus Omoike ,Programmes Coordinator, Mr Adeolu Ogunsola, Financial Secretary.
Others are Mr Ebenezer Fambegbe, Assistant Programme Coordinator, Ms Philomena Oshungboye,Treasurer, Mr Emeka Ude, Public Relations Officer, and Mr Semiu Ajadi, Ex-officio. (NAN)
