APWEN flags off MAOCADA in Lagos

CHINYERE IKEANYI

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) on Tuesday in Lagos flagged off Margaret Aina Oguntala Capacity Development Academy (MAOCADA).

The Academy is in honour of the first female Deputy President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Mrs. Margaret Aina Oguntala.

In his speech on the occasion, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, FNSE, congratulated the APWEN for the effort in putting this event together, and promoting the affairs of the engineering profession.

Engr. Wudil congratulated his Deputy, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE on this programme, adding that it is no news that over the years she has continued to promote and develop the capacity of the members of the Society.

He said the flag-off was coming at a time “the society is desirous of and promoting the skilling up of members across all cadre of its membership; more so, as it addresses some key focuses of our administration which include; Mentorship and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)”.

“The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has continued to be the catalyst for advancement of women in the engineering profession towards national and global technological development.

“As professionals, it is good that we continue to develop our capacity for optimal productivity, and continue to promote same”, Wudil said.

In his own speech, President  of APWEN), Engr. Dr Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho, explained that MAOCADA was targetted as Nigeria’s premier advance technical, vocational, entrepreneurial and life skills learning programme that will create a generation of  self sustained and employable female youths, particularly young engineers.

She also said the programme would provide a viable pipeline of skilled female engineers to either establish their own entrepreneurial ventures or been in high demand for the industries.

“By so doing, the employment landscape will become more competitive and creative thus reducing the level of unemployed and unemployable females in Nigeria. Particularly, now that the Federal Government is focused on diversification, the economy and industries are requiring specific skills from potential employees”, Eterigho further said.

In her remarks, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, stated that the programme, sponsored by Kenol Nigerian Limited and Momass, took off with 20 participants “but will with time inject over 50 technically capable female professionals into the community annually with a target of 300 in five years”.

“This is expected to progress exponentially over time, she added, quoting Mary Englebreit, who says: “If you don’t like something change it, if you cannot change it, change the way you think about it”.

Oguntala stated that the Academy, which has the objectives of preparing Engineers for the work space; building confidence and leadership skill for today and tomorrow job; and enhancing Engineers’ employability skills. Was targeted at female engineering professionals; Undergraduates; Graduates; Female engineers who want to reenter the workspace; and Female students who want to pursue career in engineering.

According to her, the programme will offer an opportunity to combine training center learning and workplace -based training i.e.  a combination of theory and practice to give trainees a head start in their professional lives; and they will acquire technical knowledge and gain practical experience for the duration of the training.

She also said the programme establishes a dialogue in the public and private sector such that TVET and employment promotion can be developed; promotes capacity building in intermediary organization both in government agencies and the private sector; focuses on the development and improvement of TVET; and supports employment promotion by establishing proactive labour market measures as the trainees will have secured employment after training.

“This proactive becomes important in order to improve the employability of young Nigerian female engineering professionals as well as ensuring their sustainability in the workspace”, Engr. Oguntala further stated.

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