By Lydia Ngwakwe

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has emphasised the need for professional female engineers to play a leading role in combating climate change.

The President of APWEN, Dr Adebisi Osim, gave the charge at the sixth edition of the Olutumbi Joanna Maduka Annual Lecture (OMAL) on Tuesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture, with the theme, “Sustainable Technology and Energy Solutions to Climate Change’’, was held in honour of Maduka, founder of APWEN and first female COREN, NSE, FIEE registered engineer in Nigeria.

She said:“The theme for this year’s lecture, “Sustainable Technology and Energy Solutions to Climate Change”, is a critical and timely issue that demands our utmost attention and action.

“ As we take a look into the crucial theme, let us reflect on the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said, “The future depends on what you do today”.

“As engineers, we have a profound responsibility to harness the power of technology and innovation to address the pressing challenge of climate change.

“The scientific evidence is clear – our planet is facing unprecedented environmental threats, and we must act decisively to secure a sustainable future for generations to come.’’

She emphasised the need for engineers to take concrete steps like embracing renewable energy, government incentives, and collaboration between different sectors to address the challenge.

Osim, represented by the past president of APWEN, Mrs Particia Odili, noted that renewable energy was crucial for transitioning to a sustainable future, urging the professionals to actively support its development and adoption.

The APWEN president said that no single entity could solve the problem of climate change alone, adding that it would require a collective effort from governments, industries, and individuals.

Osim expressed pride in APWEN members who were at the forefront of developing solutions for sustainability and climate change, noting that this highlights the important role engineers can play in finding technological solutions.

She listed some of the roles that the government could play in promoting sustainable practices as implementing a combination of solutions that would include both developing sustainable technology and energy sources, alongside offering incentives to encourage their adoption.

She urged the government to incentivise some of the adoption of sustainable technology and energy solutions through subsidies, tax breaks, regulations, partnerships, and public awareness campaigns.

Others are procurement policies that favour sustainable options, financing mechanisms to make these solutions more affordable, and international cooperation to share knowledge and resources.

The Guest Speaker, Prof. Christiana Ijagbemi, established that climate change was a major threat with wide-ranging consequences.

She noted that widespread adoption of sustainable technology and energy solutions were crucial for addressing climate change and building a future that was both environmentally sound and adaptable.

Ijagbemi said that renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a primary driver of climate change.

She said that sustainable practices across various sectors like transportation and agriculture could contribute to a more environmentally friendly approach.

Ijagbemi, represented by Prof. Temitope Adetoye, also noted that sustainable solutions not only mitigated climate change but also helped communities adapt to its inevitable effects.

She, therefore, urged the professionals to embrace sustainable technologies, saying, in doing so, they can create a more sustainable future where communities can thrive despite climate challenges.

Mrs Margaret Oguntala, President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, acknowledged steps taken by the federal government to develop technologies for renewable energy, green energy, and clean housing solutions.

While policies exist for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and other initiatives, Oguntala emphasised the need for stronger implementation to ensure these plans translate into action.

She commended Nigerian engineers for their leadership in climate change solutions and advocated better implementation of existing government policies related to renewable energy and sustainability efforts.

Mrs Joanna Mmaduka, the honouree, expressed her joy and fulfillment, particularly being surrounded by other female engineers.

She expressed a wish to see female engineers surpass her own achievements, emphasising the importance of perseverance, patience, and hard work as key ingredients for success.

She also highlighted the importance of sustainability and the innovative solutions engineering could provide in areas like waste management. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran