Okorodudu Applauds NSE Warri Incoming Chairman's Proactiveness, Commits To Stronger Partnership For Engineering Development

The Executive Director, Projects, DESOPADEC, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, the Otota of the Ancient Olomu Kingdom has commended the incoming Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Warri Branch, Engr. Queen Uche Chigbo for her proactiveness and display of excellence even before her formal inauguration.

Dr. Okorodudu reportedly gave the commendation Tuesday October 13,: when members of the NSE Warri Branch paid him a courtesy visit at the Commission's Headquarters in Warri.

The DESOPADEC EDP, who was visibly impressed by the delegation which included young engineers and students, said the incoming Chairman has broken the norm of waiting till after inauguration before showing initiative.

"What you have done is so impressive to me. You are not waiting until when you are inaugurated. You already hit the ground running and started working effectively even when you have not been inaugurated. That is quite encouraging. 

"You have displayed excellence and people need to learn from you. Some will wait until they are inaugurated and even after inauguration, will spend months idling, bearing the title without initiatives," he said.

Dr. Okorodudu reaffirmed his support for Engineers, noting that he has consistently supported Engineers in DESOPADEC to attend seminars, workshops and trainings to update their knowledge.

"I had my PhD twenty years ago and anything that has to do with updating your knowledge, I don't play with it," he stated.

On the low participation of DESOPADEC Engineers in NSE activities as raised by the Chairman, Dr. Okorodudu promised to take decisive action.

"Anything you want to do, write to me. I will call them to a meeting and direct them to participate effectively in whatever NSE Warri Branch is doing. The engineering profession is the engine room of every development. Without engineering, there is no development," he affirmed.

Describing engineering as one of the oldest professions in the world, he stressed that even God is an engineer in creation, lamenting that the profession has not been given its rightful place in Nigeria due to industrial collapse following policy failures like the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP.

"In those days you cannot be an engineer and look for work. As soon as you graduate, in two seconds you are employed. But today, I know an engineer who graduated more than 13 years ago without a job. Engineering needs to be respected as a noble profession," he lamented.

Dr. Okorodudu called on the NSE to push for valid regulatory standards to be passed by the National Assembly to drive national development.

Assuring the NSE delegation on behalf of the Board and Management of DESOPADEC that the Commission will always acknowledge and partner with the Society, he noted that all DESOPADEC does is engineering - from works to housing and infrastructure, advising the NSE to write a formal letter to the Managing Director of DESOPADEC through his office, copying him, to formalize the areas of collaboration.

He further expressed his willingness to honour the invitation to the inauguration, adding that he looks forward to more engagements with the Branch.

Earlier, the Chairman of NSE Warri Branch, Engr. Queen Uche Chigbo had congratulated Dr. Okorodudu on his historic installation as Otota of Olomu Kingdom on September 19, 2026 by His Royal Majesty, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, describing the elevation as a validation of his humility, wisdom, loyalty and outstanding contributions to Olomu Kingdom and Delta State.

Engr. Chigbo also appreciated Dr. Okorodudu's pragmatic leadership as EDP, his commitment to community-based projects and his open-door policy to professional bodies and solicited DESOPADEC's partnership in the Branch's B.U.I.L.D 2026 Agenda programmes which include the building of an Engineering Resource, Innovation and Skills Acquisition Training Centre, a STEM Catch-Them-Young Training for secondary schools, and a hands-on Solar System Installation Training for young engineers and community youths which will culminate in the installation of solar power in a rural Primary Health Centre and solar-powered boreholes in schools.

According to her, the projects align with SDGs 4, 6 and 7 and will directly benefit oil-producing communities.

She then, formally invited Dr. Okorodudu as Special Guest of Honour to the Inauguration and Investiture Ceremony of the new Executive Committee slated for Friday, November 28, 2026 at the MOM Civic Centre, Warri, by 11am.

The visitors thereafter presented a token to the EDP as a sign of their appreciation for his pragmatic leadership.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) is the umbrella body for all Engineers in Nigeria, dedicated to advancing engineering practice, ensuring continuous professional development, upholding ethics in collaboration with COREN, advising government on national development, protecting members' welfare, promoting engineering education and STEM innovation, and fighting quackery to ensure engineering jobs are executed by qualified professionals.

Those present during the visit from NSE Warri Branch were Engr. Joseph Eghwrude, FNSE; Engr. Ebipade Linda Guwo, MNSE, past Chairman APWEN; Engr. Rita Uzezi Anota, MNSE; Engr. Torere Blessing, MNSE and Engr. Ikubu Akpevwe, MNSE.

Also present were Engr. Anthony Okuwe, EA to the EDP; Engr. Elliot Olokor, Head, Department of Project Monitoring and Evaluation; Engr. Friday Money, Head, Department of Works; Comr. Tom Obrozie Odiouzo, Head, Department of Utility; Engr. Chief Mathew Onokpasa, SA to the EDP and Engr. Collins Okorodudu, TA to the EDP.

By Evelyn Obibi-Assay, Igho Ejememo

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