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Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining and Materials Engineers (NIMMME or 3M) hosts Fellowship Ceremony & Honours Illustrious Nigerians
Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining and Materials Engineers (NIMMME also called 3M), a Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has honoured Nigerians for their illustrious contributions to the growth of Metallurgical and Mining industry in Nigeria.
The Institution bestowed the honourary award during the 2nd public lecture themed; “Ezekwe-Barberopoulos-Obikwelu (EBO) Honourary Lecture” held on Friday 1st December 2023 at the transmission company of Nigeria hall, in Abuja.
The public lecture christened after three illustrious individuals, namely Prof Gordian Ezekwe, Mr. Romeo Barberopoulos and Prof D.O.N. Obikwelu was aimed at rewarding Nigerians with stellar contributions to the industry.
The Highlights of the event came when each of these Individuals were honoured and they all had someone who spoke on their behalf.
Prof Onwue Abdulmalik Ibrahim R and Barberopoulos and Dr. Ibrahim Agava
Vassily Barberopoulos, the son of Romeo Barberopoulos, who delivered a keynote speech, spoke on behalf of his late Father.
It would be recalled that Late Romeo Barberopoulos established and ran the leading metals foundry in West Africa in 1969 after being one of the engineers to set up Africa’s first TV Station WNTV Ibadan, during his time with Leventis Group.
His Son, Mr. Oye Vassily Barberopoulos (The current MD) is more Nigerian than most of us and knows all corners of the country and has taken the company to new heights in mining, oil and gas and machine parts among others.
He is an authority in Additive Manufacturing (especially 3D printing) in Africa and took us through the opportunities and threats to existing fabrication industries, National during the 2nd Ezekwe-Barberopoulos-Obikwelu EBO Honourary Lecture. keeping the inspiration of the greats alive
Similarly, Professor Onwue Abdulmalik Ibrahim, a Research Director at NASENI, Abuja HQ spoke as Guest Lecturer for Prof Gordian Ezekwe.
Prof Onuwe started by explained how Late Prof Gordian Ezekwe hired him not caring where he came from but that he won NYSC prize as a pioneer staff of NASENI (which Prof Ezekwe founded during the IBB era).
How he worked with him closely in drafting, welding, fitting in the workshop even on Sundays, bringing innovations and ideas to life.
And how Prof. Ezekwe mentored him to a sterling career at NASENI passing through many departments and subsidiaries coming from OND and is a full Professor of Mechanical Engineering today.
Michael Orekyeh by Prof Obikwelu Banner
He talked of NASENI and its drive for local capabilities and manufacturing and its willingness to partner with 3M and NSE on research and other activities to drive technology in Nigeria.
Also, Late Prof. Gordian Obumneme Ezekwe, an illustrious son of Abagana received a post- humous award from Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining and Material Engineers during the ceremony.
The President Umuada Abagana National Association Iyom Dr. Mrs Ajia Ogugua Agagbo received the award on behalf of his family.
Late Prof. Gordian Obumneme Ezekwe was a Nigerian inventor, mechanical engineer and former Federal Minister of Science and Technology under General Ibrahim Babangida from 1989 to 1991.
He was a former Director of the Projects Development Agency (PRODA) (later renamed Institute), founder and first Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering, Infrastructure (NASENI) and founder of Science Equipment Development Institute (SEDI). Prof. Gordian Ezekwe was the first Nigerian PhD in Mechanical Engineering (1959).
Earlier, Dr. Friday I Apeh (a Director in NIBRRI) a Past National Chairman of 3M, spoke as Lecturer on behalf of Prof Daniel O.N. Obikwelu.
Prof. Obikwelu who was unavoidably not able to make the event, though he participated fully during the 1st Edition of the Ezekwe-Barberopoulos-Obikwelu EBO Honourary Lecture held in Awka, Anambra State 2022.
He is an award-winning student and researcher at the Michigan State University having done work for NASA and The US Navy. He worked in Delta Steel Company (DSC) Aladja, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) helping set up the SITP program that trained hundreds of Engineers in hands on Technology and also established Metallurgical Engineers as a distinct discipline in Shell HR and enable Metallurgy graduates work in Shell.
He worked at Nnamdi Aziliwe University, ESUT and the University of Nigeria Nsukka UNN, where with the help of the then VC, Prof Chinedu Ositadinma Nebo (Former Minster of Power) they set up the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering department at UNN. He was conferred Fellow of NIMMME.
The Institution executed new Membership Induction of over 110 inductees, 47 Fellows and 2 Honourary Fellows.
Such Fellows included
1) Prof Samson Duna DG NIBRRI (Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute)
2) Prof Hussaini Doko Ibrahim DG RMRDC (Raw Materials Research and Development Council)
3) Prof Chinedu Nebo form Minister of Power and current VC University on the Niger Onitsha
4) Mr. Obadiah Nkom DG Mining Cadastre Office , Abuja
5) Prof Adisa Ademola Bello Registrar COREN
6) Prof DON Obikwelu
7) Engr Jacob Titilope Adeyemo MD GeoCardinal Engineering
8) Prof AbdulGaniyu Funsho Alabi a Past National Chairman
9) Prof Aje Tokan the current National Chairman
10) Engr Michael Orekyeh of the Anambra State Ministry of Works
11) Engr Valerie Agberagba a General Manager at NDPHC
Other Fellows Conferred at the event included.
1) Engr Henry Bolarinwa
2) Prof David Esezobor
3) Engr Chinasaokwu Okorie
4) Engr Joseph Gansallo
5) Engr Sunday Agbalajobi
6) Engr Oduche Azih
7) Engr Kennedy Ibechem
8) Prof Leke Oluwole
9) Engr Ikenna Okonkwo (a Manager in NNPC)
10) Engr Fidelis Ezenwankwo MD Castmaster Ltd Kano
11) Engr Tafa Abubakar Quarry Manager BUA Cement
12) Engr Abdulraman Ottan
13) Prof Abdul Rahman Asipita Salawu of FUT Minna
15) Prof Jamiu Kolawole Odusote of Unillorin
16) Engr Ese Ochoga a Past Chairman
17) Engr Joy Ogbodo of SEDI Enugu
18) Prof Yusuf Shuaib-Banata of Unillorin
19) Engr Ayodele Mesaiyete of Lagarge Wapco
20) Engr Yahya Bukar a Director in Standards Organization of Nigeria
21) Engr Christian Onyibo a Director in Federal Ministry of Work, Abuja
The event was graced by many Dignitaries in the NSE and COREN space such as Engr Ali Rabiu MFR – immediate past President COREN, Vice President North Central Engr Joseph Adebayo, who represented the NSE President Engr Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudil FNSE, National EXCO members, Branch Chairmen and many others.
Diran Onifade, a veteran Broadcast journalist was the Moderator of the event.
Lebara Nigeria has become a member of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) as it expands operations in the West African country.
The membership places Lebara Nigeria within a global network of more than 1,000 mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology companies and digital service providers.
Through the GSMA, the company will have access to industry research, technical standards, policy engagement and industry initiatives.
Lebara Nigeria said the move reflects its participation in the wider telecommunications ecosystem as it develops its operations in Nigeria’s mobile market.
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector plays a central role in the country’s digital economy, with more than 170 million active mobile subscriptions supporting services such as digital payments, e-commerce, education and healthcare.
Industry analysts say participation in international bodies such as the GSMA supports knowledge sharing and the adoption of industry standards.
Lebara Nigeria said GSMA membership will support its engagement with industry developments and policy discussions in the telecommunications sector.
The company said it remains focused on operating in Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications market as demand for connectivity continues to grow.
GSM Association is the advocacy and lobbying organization for the mobile communications industry, representing more than 1,000 mobile operators as full members and a further 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem as associate members.
Management of Vitel Wireless, mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), has distanced the company from a fraudulent scheme operating under the name: “Vitel Shares Services.”
In an official statement, the management clarified that Vitel Wireless is not selling shares or running any investment schemes.
They warned that the operators of “Vitel Shares Services” are using unauthorised websites, mobile applications, social media promotions, and bank accounts falsely linked to Vitel Wireless to mislead the public.
The statement reads: “The attention of Vitel Wireless has been drawn to a fraudulent scheme operating under the name ‘Vitel Shares Services.’
“We wish to state clearly that Vitel Wireless has no affiliation with Vitel Shares Services, or any platform claiming to offer Vitel shares, investments, or financial products through unofficial channels.
“We do not solicit investments through agents, social media, websites, apps, or third parties. Any platform claiming to offer Vitel Wireless shares or investments outside our official channels is fraudulent and should be treated as such.
“We urge the general public to remain vigilant and verify all information through official Vitel Wireless communication channels before making any payments or sharing personal data.”
Airtel Nigeria has concluded its second Customer Forum in Abuja, bringing together a large section of customers including high-volume data subscribers, 5G customers, and key stakeholders in another landmark engagement aimed at addressing concerns around data usage, transparency, and customer experience.
The forum themed “Understanding Your Data and Taking Control 2.0.” aimed to strengthen trust in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape. The session also featured inputs from representatives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Delivering the Keynote remarks, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, who was represented by Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, emphasised that trust remains the most valuable currency in telecommunications, and Airtel remains committed to strengthening customer confidence through transparency and continuous engagement.
He explained that discussions around data consumption have become increasingly important as digital lifestyles evolve, with smartphones, cloud services, video streaming and emerging artificial intelligence applications significantly influencing data usage patterns.
According to him, Airtel recently introduced the Airtel Data Calculator, an innovative tool designed to help customers estimate their data needs based on online activities such as multimedia streaming, video calls, social media usage, and gaming.
“The purpose of the Airtel Data Calculator is to provide greater visibility, support informed decision-making and place more information directly in the hands of customers. Because transparency should never be viewed as a compliance exercise. Transparency is good business,” he stated.
He further reassured customers that Airtel has no incentive to shortchange subscribers through inaccurate billing, forced spending or unnecessary data depletion, stressing that the company’s growth depends on customer satisfaction, loyalty and trust.
Adeniran also highlighted Airtel’s continued investments in network infrastructure, fibre capacity, digital platforms, artificial intelligence capabilities, customer service systems and workforce development, noting that these investments are aimed at improving service quality and enhancing customer experiences.
Oladokun Oye, Director, Customer Experience, Airtel Nigeria, while welcoming participants to the event, said the forum was created to provide customers with an open platform for education, engagement and problem-solving, noting that the customer remains at the centre of Airtel’s business.
“Data has become central to everyday life, powering work, education, commerce, entertainment, healthcare and countless opportunities. As data usage grows, so too does the desire for greater visibility and understanding.
Today’s conversation is part of an ongoing journey. A journey toward greater transparency. A journey toward deeper understanding. And a journey toward a better customer experience for every Airtel subscriber,” he said.
The forum also featured practical demonstrations on data consumption management, device settings, and usage habits that impact data usage. It also included an interactive session by which Airtel teams provided clarifications and offered feedback to customers.
The Abuja event follows the successful maiden edition held earlier this year in Lagos and aligns with broader industry efforts led by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to improve consumer awareness, transparency, and confidence within the telecommunications sector.
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