By: Ade Adeleke
…Akeredolu, Alasoadura, Fashola, Ondo Reps members, Oshiomhole in attendance as NIEEE honour Oyedele
The Executive Director (Networks), Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, Engr Ifeoluwa Olusola Oyedele, has been conferred with Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE.
The occasion held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on Monday, also witnessed the delivering of the institute’s 15th “Distinguished Electrical and Electronic Engineer Annual Lecture, (DEEEAL)” by Engr Oyedele flanked by his wife, Mrs Omobola.
The colourful Engineers’ Annual Lecture and Investiture was attended by the Special Guest and Minister of works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who was represented by his Deputy, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa and representatives of Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Also in attendance are; Former Governor of Edo State and immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; the outgoing Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke; the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Tayo Alasoadura as well as some members of the National Assembly from Ondo state including Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Tajudeen Adefisoye aka Small Alhaji; Abiola Makinde and Mayowa Akinfolarin.
In his address, the National Chairman/Chairman in Council, Nigeria Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Engr Adeyemi Kings, said the conferment of the institute’s Fellow on Engr Ife Oyedele was aimed at celebrating and in recognition of his professional ingenuity and intellectual sagacity.
Adeyemi pointed out that professional attainments and values of Oyedele also qualified him to deliver the institute’s 15th DEEEAL lecture.
In his lecture, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele FNSE, FRMN, FIPAN during its 15th DEEEAL lecture, said to tackle the perennial electricity challenges in Nigeria, there must be holistic reforms in the power sector that would bring about local production of electricity equipment that was obtainable in other advanced countries.
The theme of the lecture is: “ELECTRIFICATION OF NIGERIA IS A SINE QUA NON TO BUILDING A GREAT, INDUSTRIALISED AND SAFE NATION”
The Executive Director also advocated appointment of core professionals to man various agencies of government that handle projects in the sector while operations of private investors should be reviewed for optimum performance.
Oyedele blamed vandalisation of publicity facilities as another factor militating against the provision of stable power supply in the country.
“In conclusion let us recall that it is a known truism all over the world that Electricity Infrastructure Development is not cheap though technology is dynamic. lts availability in sufficient quantum and growing levels of improved usage is a panacea for development and a pointer to good governance.
“Indeed, there is proven positive correlation between nations’ GDP and the security of a nation and quantum of electric power available. Growth and development are made possible mainly by provision of electricity to power the wheels of economic wealth and create employment.
“Power touches the lives of businesses and people including the dead. Non-availabillty is athreat to security and a reducer of growth leading to cries of marginalization and restructuring.
“We must therefore take the provision of electric power in the right mix of technology as avery critical and serious governance and people matter with sufficient reorientation of our citizens for infrastructure preservation to lead Nigeria to the next greater level that we have always dreamed of.
“Nigerians take pride in destroying the very infrastructure put in place for their wellbeing. In some part of the country, our fellow citizens excavate the foundation of towers cutting live wires on a 330 KV transmission line, dismember those towers only to use the members to make cheap spoons or earrings, plus some other non-essential items at the expense of all of us.
“On daily basis I receive letters from communities who demand for hundreds of millions of Naira to appease their gods who are displaced from their resting place because transmission lines travel over where their shrines were located.
“The rate of vandalism of equipment and materials cannot be imagined. And this is done with vicious malice and wickedness,” Oyedele said.
In a remark, Akeredolu and Alasoadura said Ondo State is proud of Engr Oyedele over his various professional attainments.
Alasoadura charged engineers and other professionals to be more proactive in addressing poor electricity supply in the country.
