The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, F.ASCE, FAEng, MFR, inspected major infrastructure projects being executed by the Edo State Government during his official visit to Benin City for the inauguration of the leadership of the newly established NSE Oredo Branch (The Luxury Branch).
Upon his arrival at the Benin Airport, the NSE President was received by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Engr. Emmanuel E. Okoebor, who welcomed him on behalf of the Edo State Government.
The NSE recorded another milestone in its drive to deepen professional excellence and expand its footprint across the country with a landmark three-in-one event comprising an inspection of strategic infrastructure projects, the inauguration of the Pioneer Chairman and Executive Committee of the Oredo Branch, and a grand dinner marking the official commencement of the Branch’s activities.
The inspection tour was led by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Engr. Emmanuel E. Okoebor, who represented the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo; accompanied by the NSE President and his delegation inspected the Ramat Park Flyover and Adesuwa Junction Flyover with concrete pavement road project stretching from Adesuwa Junction to the Edo–Delta State boundary.
Speaking during the inspection, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, F.ASCE, FAEng, MFR, commended the Edo State Government for the quality and scale of the ongoing infrastructure projects, describing them as remarkable investments in the development of the State. He praised Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo for engaging qualified engineering professionals to execute the projects, noting that quality infrastructure is best delivered through professional competence. He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work observed and the pace of development across the inspected projects.
He further appealed to the Edo State Government to support the Branch with a dedicated tour bus to facilitate engineering inspection visits and a parcel of land within Oredo Local Government Area for the construction of a befitting secretariat for the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Responding on behalf of the Governor, Hon. Engr. Emmanuel E. Okoebor expressed appreciation to the NSE President for his candid assessment and commendation of the remarkable infrastructural transformation being undertaken by the administration of Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo. He assured the Society that the requests for a tour bus and a parcel of land for the Branch’s permanent secretariat would be formally conveyed to the Governor for his kind consideration.
The NSE President Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, F.ASCE, FAEng, MFR, later inaugurated Engr. Chukudi M. Akpotowho, FNSE, FNiMechE, as the Pioneer Chairman of the Branch alongside the 2026/2027 Executive Committee.
The NSE President also charged the newly inaugurated leadership of the Branch to prioritise the professional development of members through regular training, workshops and seminars, foster collaboration with educational institutions, industries and professional bodies, champion community engineering initiatives, and promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The keynote address, titled “From Benin Bronze to Smart Cities: Re-imagining Edo Through Engineering Excellence,” was delivered on behalf of Maj. Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (Rtd.) by Barr. Dr. Andrew Emwanta, the SSA to the State Governor on Public Affairs. The presentation emphasised that engineering excellence, innovation and technology remain indispensable to addressing Edo State’s infrastructure, flooding, electricity, water supply, employment and urban development challenges, while positioning the State as a model of sustainable growth.
In his inaugural address, the Pioneer Chairman, Engr. Chukudi M. Akpotowho, pledged to make the Oredo Branch the leading voice of engineering in Edo State by collaborating with all tiers of government, industry, academia and other stakeholders to deliver engineering-driven solutions. He reaffirmed the Branch’s commitment to professionalism, innovation, capacity building, ethical practice and the sustainable development of Edo State.
Engr. Akpotowho also commended Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo for his administration’s visible infrastructural transformation across the State, describing him as “The Engineer of Infrastructure Development” in recognition of his commitment to delivering quality roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure projects that are reshaping Edo State.
The events attracted engineers, government officials, captains of industry, traditional rulers, members of the academic community and other distinguished guests from within and outside Edo State, underscoring the significance of the establishment of the Oredo Branch and its expected role in advancing engineering excellence and sustainable development.
