Joanna Maduka lecture holds today

Preparations have reached conclusive stages for the maiden edition of Olutunmbi Joanna Maduka Annual Lecture (OMAL Series). Put together by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), the event, which coincides with Maduka’s 77th birthday, holds today.

Six women formally launched APWEN 35 years ago with Maduka (FNSE) as the founding president. The others are, in no particular order: Nkechi Isigwe (FNSE), Mayen Adetiba (FNSE), Nwakaego Ojukwu (FNSE), Beatrice Oduniyi (FNSE) and Idiat Amusu (FNSE).

In a statement signed by APWEN’s president, Felicia Agubata (MNSE), the professional body noted: “We will celebrate one of our own. She is one of the very best the engineering profession has on offer and it is indeed right and proper that we give honour to those who have earned it by dint of hard work, vision, leadership and service to humanity.”

The statement continued, “we are here to celebrate and attest to the works and impact of Maduka. An engineer of repute, a wife, a mother, an inspirational figure, a leader and a servant, it is our collective resolve to show her friendship, a sense of community, appreciation and comradeship on her milestone.

“Indeed, APWEN unanimously took a decision to celebrate and honour her icons and founders through a lecture series. As the first female registered engineer in Nigeria and the founding president of our association, Maduka has to be the number one to be celebrated.”

Her professional accomplishments and standing in the society are compelling. In our estimation, this event serves us better than the conventional post humous activities that have become standard in Nigeria. It is our firm belief that this is the right way to celebrate and honour a woman, an engineer and an administrator who blazed the trail that we are following today.”

Agubata concluded, “the bottom line is that our shining stars should be celebrated in their life time. As we celebrate our engineering icon, a humanist and a great patriot we pray that God will bless and keep her for many, many, many more years to come in good health and in the land of the living.”