Wale Jagun
From Left to Right : Mr Olugbolahan Sobande, Managing Director, Crestech Engineering Ltd.;Mrs Babagana Mohammed; Mr Babagana Mohammed; Mrs Margaret Oguntala, Deputy President, NSE; Mr Emeka Ibeh, Chairman, NSE Victoria Island; Brig. -Gen. Isaiah Allison at the 4th Public Lecture and Induction of new members in Lagos.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) on Tuesday said that strong, ethical and honest leadership was crucial to attaining integrated management system ISO certification.
The body said this at the 4th Babagana Mohammed Public Lecture and induction of new corporate members of the Victoria Island Branch of NSE in Lagos.
The lecture has the theme: “Leadership Aspects of Integrated Management System (IMS) ISO Certification.”
An integrated management system is a single system designed to manage multiple aspects of an organisation’s operations in line with multiple ISO standard for quality, environmental and health and safety management.
Delivering the lecture, Mr Olugbolahan Sobande, Managing Director, Crestech Engineering Ltd., said that organisations that desire to attain ISO certification must have the utmost regard for professionalism and good leadership.
Olugbolahan said that leadership involved setting realistic vision, mission and values; organisational objectives; effective risk management strategies; stakeholders’ needs and expectations.
He listed other crucial duties as assessing internal and external issues as well as determining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Olugbolahan said that honesty, integrity, respect for people and safety must be reflected in the values of the organisation’s leadership.
“When planning for the IMS, an organisation is required to determine the risks to its processes, products, and services. They should plan actions to address these risks and evaluate the effectiveness of the actions.
“Leaders must ensure that the organisation deliver on its mission and objectives in spite of challenges.
“Organisational goals must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound,” he said.
According to him, the process of setting goals includes employee involvement, resource assessment, a proper definition of key performance indicators and timeliness.
In his address, the NSE National President, Mr Tasiu Gidari-Wudil said that the theme of the lecture was apt for engineers, considering their important role as leaders in the digital transformation of the nation.
Gidari-Wudil was represented by the Deputy President, Mr Margaret Oguntala.
“Digital economy is the worldwide network for economic activities and professional interactions that are enabled by information and communication technologies.
“It highlights the opportunities and the need for organisations and individuals to use technologies to execute tasks better, faster and differently.
“Based on the role of engineers as leaders in the technology world, it is, therefore, necessary that we possess strong leadership qualities that will advance the frontiers of technological development in the nation,” he said.
He charged the inductees to work hard, develop themselves and participate in all activities of the NSE at the branch and national levels.
Also speaking, the NSE Victoria Island Chairman, Mr Emeka Ibeh, said that the annual lecture was part of the branch’s efforts to highlight the challenges in the engineering community and inputs of the NSE in resolving them as well improving the practice.
He added that it was also to celebrate and honour Mohammed’s exemplary achievements.
According to him, Mohammed is a founding member of the Victoria Island branch and immediate past national president of the NSE.
Ibeh urged the inductees to remain resolute in their professional duties and engage in continuous professional development and learning to advance the engineering society.
In his remarks, Mohammed emphasised the need for everyone to work together to have ethical and honest leadership in all sectors for national development.
“People who aspire to be leaders must come with clean hands. We don’t have ethical and honest leaders, that is why we’re in the deplorable state we are today.
“Youths and inductees today must work hard to change lives, prove that you’re trustworthy and capable of leading people rightly towards a greater future.
He expressed gratitude to God for being alive to witness the fourth lecture done in honour of his achievements.
Fifty-six members were inducted as corporate members to the NSE, Victoria Island branch.
The lecture and induction were part of the branch’s 2022 Engineering Week with the theme: ”Advancing the Frontiers of Communication and Digital Economy in Nigeria: The role of the Nigeria Engineer.”
