The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Rivers State Chapter, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, reaffirmed its commitment to playing a leading role in driving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.
Dr Adebisi Osim, the President of the Association, said this during the a programme organised by the APWEN, in commemoration of the World Engineering Day for sustainable development in Port Harcourt.
Osim described the theme, “Unleashing the Power of Engineers to Advocate the Sustainable Development Goals”, as a call to action.
She said that it reminded the world of the indispensable role of engineers in shaping a sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced world.
According to her, the role of women engineers in leading a transformation and diverse solution in the SDG is apt.
“Women bring unique perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving skills that are crucial in designing sustainable systems.
“This is why ‘STEM for All’ is not just a slogan but a movement that seeks to empower young girls, as well as boys, mentor future engineers, and dismantle barriers to inclusivity in our profession.
“Engineering is the foundation of human progress, and as we strive towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we must recognize the immense responsibility we bear,” she said.
Osim explained that engineering as a catalyst for the 17 SDGs challenged engineers to address some of the world’s most pressing issues such as poverty, climate change, clean water, affordable energy, and resilient infrastructure.
She stated that engineers were at the heart of providing solutions, from designing smart cities to developing renewable energy sources and innovating in healthcare and agriculture.
The president mentioned some unique challenges faced by engineers as energy security, climate adaptation, infrastructural deficits, and digital transformation.
“However, these challenges present opportunities for engineering ingenuity.
‘’We must rethink our approach, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, green energy solutions, and sustainable construction practices to drive impactful change,” Osim stated.
She called on public-private partnerships, academia, policymakers, and industry leaders to work together and create an enabling environment for engineering solutions.
Osim also urged government to support researches and innovations, while industries embrace sustainable practices.
She also advised engineers to advocate for ethical engineering practices that prioritise environmental sustainability, social impact, and economic growth.
“As we mark this World Engineering Day, let us commit to promoting STEM education and inspiring the next generation of engineers, particularly young women.
’’And also driving innovation in sustainable solutions that address our local and global challenges,” she said.
In his keynote address, Dr. Promise Elechi, a don, spoke on the theme, “Engineering Tomorrow: Harnessing Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals.”
He said that engineers were the major key players in achieving the 17 items of the SDGs by the global world.
Elechi, also a lecturer with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Rivers State University (RUST), stated that engineers should be fully involved in driving the SDGs, particularly in Nigeria.
“Engineers are innovators; we are key players in everything in the development; advancement of the economy revolves around the engineering profession despite the different fields of endeavors,” he said.
Elechi mentioned some of the challenges faced by engineers as lack of funding, government support and enabling environment and urged government to collaboroate with them and respond to their needs.
Among the 20 schools invited for participation, 14 schools were in attendance while four students from different schools won the scholarship award.
The four students who received the award are respectively from Government Craft Secondary School, Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri, Government Secondary Schools, Rumeprikom, and Stella Maris Secondary, all in Port Harcourt.
The awardees are Deborah Peter who came first, the second was Lawson Jane, the third, Malachi Emeka while Sampson Emmanuelle came fourth.
By Precious Akutamadu