Education
Warri civil engineers’ chairman promises career development opportunities for young professionals – EnviroNews
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The newly elected chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Warri Chapter, Jubril Sunday Jayeola, has told his members that they will have greater access to opportunities under his administration as part of efforts to maintain the profession’s integrity.
Jayeola, who gave this assurance on Saturday, July 11, 2026, during the sixth edition of the late Sir Lawrence Oritsebemigho Ajuyah’s annual memorial lecture, as well as the inauguration of the chapter’s newly elected executive committee members in Delta State, stated that he also intends to expand the chapter’s membership and support programmes that are targeted towards strengthening the capacity of young engineers.
Other newly elected executive committee members who will collaborate with the chairman to oversee the affairs of the Warri chapter are as follows: Jennifer Gbubemi, vice chairman; Andrew Oghenenyerovwo, secretary general; Idubor Gladys, assistant secretary general; Ojarikre Marvellous, publicity secretary; Osiobe Okpakoigho, technical secretary; and Ehizojie Charles, treasurer.
According to the chairman, his administration will enhance professional excellence through continuous learning, ethics, innovation, and safety; promote technopreneurship; and further encourage teamwork.
While noting that his new position has a tremendous level of responsibility, he also pointed-out that experience has taught and helped him to understand that leadership is defined by influence, impact, and inspiration rather than age.
“Today, I reaffirm my commitment to upholding our institution’s integrity and championing meaningful programmes,” he stated as he took his oath of office in front of the ceremony’s attendants.
He further guaranteed that his regime will continue to build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessors and work diligently to foster stronger partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, and other key stakeholders to advance their noble profession.
Jayeola went on to vow that he will work with his team to amplify their members’ voices through policy conversations, implement evidence-based solutions to infrastructure concerns, and highlight the critical role of civil engineers in national development.
The chairmanship is undoubtedly founded on trust and confidence, and the new leader, who will manage the chapter’s operations for the next two years, is fully aware of the expectations. He therefore pledged to be transparent, accountable, and inclusive in all of his engagements.
Additionally, he promised to work with the executive committee to promote gender inclusion, mentorship for young engineers, member welfare, and community-impact initiatives that uphold their core values.
“Together, we can build on past achievements and work collectively toward a more vibrant, progressive, and impactful NICE Warri Chapter – one that develops competent professionals, delivers resilient infrastructure, and leaves our communities better than we found them,” he asserted.
In closing his remarks at the event, he paid tribute to their pioneering chairman, the late. Sir Lawrence Oritsebemigho Ajuyah, a man whose life, he said, still motivates them to lead with integrity, courage, and vision.
The national chairman of NICE, Tokunmbo Ajanaku, in his address during the ceremony, hailed the late icon’s family for continuing his legacy, stating that he deserves the honour of receiving an annual memorial lecture of this magnitude.
According to him, this edition – the sixth – would be far better than the previous ones, based on the antecedents of the NICE Warri chapter, because, after all, “Warri no dey carry last.”
He hopes that everyone who attended the lecture will have a lasting impression of this year’s exercise and that all of their questions, suggestions, and observations will be immediately addressed.
Chairman of the planning committee, Dr. Isaiah Ogho, said the event has become bigger and better looking back from the first edition.
This year’s event with the theme “Smart Cities: The Challenges, Solutions, and Opportunities for Developing Countries,” according to him, is well chosen to reflect the needs of Nigeria, which is among developing countries in the world, to adopt smart city solutions for development as seen in developed countries of the world and also encourage engineers to exploit the opportunities this would bring.
Like the previous speakers, he praised the chapter’s pioneering chairman, whom he described as having a strong interest in students’ growth and development as well as time management.
“Such a man is worthy of emulation in so many ways,” he declared.
The event brought together stakeholders from government agencies, private sector players, and civil society organisations, all of whom recognised the importance of civil engineers in the nation’s growth.
By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja