Agberagba made the call at a virtual capacity-building workshop for chapter executives of the association. The workshop, designed to strengthen governance structures, inspire visionary leadership, and uphold APWEN’s mission, was led by distinguished industry professionals who shared valuable insights on leadership, etiquette, and the association’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
She stressed that APWEN chapters must give greater attention to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programmes rather than focusing solely on STEM advocacy and International Day celebrations.
Agberagba, who was APWEN’s 9th President emphasised that leadership is about influence, vision, and accountability rather than titles and positions. She highlighted the importance of strategic planning, mentorship, and collaboration in ensuring the association’s long-term sustainability.
APWEN President, Dr Adebisi Osim, harped on the significant role of leadership in sustaining APWEN’s vision. She urged the chapter’s leaders to “govern wisely, lead boldly, and embrace strategies that will drive APWEN to greater heights.”
Speaking on personal branding and etiquette in leadership, a fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Dr Ini Usoro, urged leaders to uphold APWEN’s core values of excellence, integrity, teamwork, trust, and responsibility. She pointed out that etiquette is a pillar of self-care, emphasising that effective leadership requires stress management, time management, professional conduct, and assertiveness.
On how to strengthen APWEN’s governance through standard operating procedures, a fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Obianuju Okwusogu, noted the importance of structured governance and compliance in APWEN operations.
She listed APWEN’s core operational processes to include membership management, financial procedures, event planning, and governance compliance. She encouraged members to familiarise themselves with APWEN’s SOPs to ensure smooth chapter administration.
In her remarks, APWEN’s National Technical Secretary, Dr Tolulope Erinosho, said the insights gained from the workshop must translate into action. “This workshop is not just about acquiring knowledge but implementing effective leadership, governance, and collaboration to ensure APWEN’s continued impact. The future of APWEN depends on our ability to lead with vision, embrace structured governance, and create sustainable change,” she stated.
