The American Society of Civil Engineers, Nigeria International Section on Tuesday September 29, 2023 held the Future World Vision Conference with the theme: Future World Vision – Infrastructure Reinvented, Redefined, Reimagined at the Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja, Lagos.
The one-day event featured a number of fascinating activities including Keynote presentation from the Director of ASCE Future World Vision and Transportation & Development Institute (T&DI), Muhammad Amer, Guest Speaker presentation from the Managing Director of Planet Projects Ltd., Engr. Biodun Otunola, Presentation by the Guest Presenter, Engr. Olufemi Ariyo and goodwill messages from renowned figures in the Nigerian built environment.
The event began with a welcome address by the President_elect who also serves as the Chairman of the Programs and Membership Committee, Engr. Austin Odibi. Next, the President of ASCE Nigeria Section, Engr. Rasheed Hassan delivered the Opening remark.
Goodwill messages were then given by:
- The Immediate Past President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Engr. Rabiu A. Ali FASCE MFR, represented by Dr. Wilson Alli FNSE.
- The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudil FNSE, represented by the Vice President, Engineering Technology and Innovation Management Board, Engr. Dr. Bemigho Ofoeyeno, FNSE, FNICE.
- ASCE Nigeria Section Pioneer President and Past Region 10 Governor, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Adeyemo FNSE, FASCE.
- The Immediate Past President of ASCE Nigeria Section, Engr. Ajose Otinwa FNSE, FNIStructE, FASCE.
- The President-Elect, ASCE Abuja Branch, Engr. Mobolaji Olagbemiro MASCE.
Following the goodwill messages, there was a tea break before the presentation by the Guest Speaker, Engr. Biodun Otunola MASCE, the MD of Planet Projects Ltd. His persuading and engrossing talk on "Future World Vision in Public Transportation: a Global and Nigerian perspective" influenced the audience's viewpoint and had a lasting impact.
The Director of ASCE Future World Vision and Transportation and Development Institute (TD&I), Muhammad Amer gave the Keynote Address. In his presentation, he stressed on the significance of the ASCE Future World Vision as well as the unending benefits of ASCE membership.
Following the Keynote Address, Engr. Olufemi Ariyo persuaded the audience with his captivating presentation on "Smart Cities: Revolutionizing Infrastructure through Innovative Investment Strategies". This concluded the technical presentations and was followed by the Lunch break and a meet and greet session where the audience were able to interact and network with one another.
On resuming from the Lunch break, the Plenary session held, which was featured by experienced stakeholders from the built environment which cut across the private, public and academia. The panel discussants were:
1. Engr. Yetunde Holloway, Chair, Women in Engineering Committee of the World Federation of Engineering Organization (WFEO).
2. Engr. Nurudeen O. Shodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Office of Drainage and Water Resources.
3. Engr. Bola Mudashiru, Managing Director, Prolarank Nigeria Limited.
4. Engr. Mohammed Babakobi, Past Director of Rail, Federal Ministry of Transportation.
5. The session was moderated by Engr. Aileme Unuigbe, ASCE Nigeria Section Technical Committee Chair.
A tribute was paid to the Immediate Past President of ASCE Nigeria Section, Kaduna branch, Late Engr. Dawood Akinwale Kelani.
Certificates of Appreciation and Commendation were presented to the speakers and volunteers respectively. The Section's Publicity Chair also gave an announcement about the upcoming ASCE events both international and at the Section's level.
The program was brought to an end at exactly 5:25 PM with a closing remark by the Immediate Past President of the Section, Engr. Ajose Otinwa FASCE.
