The Nigerian Society of Engineers today, 15th of July 2021 held the Maiden Edition of the James Olusoga Annual Memorial Colloquium at the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
The guest Lecturer, Engr. Olatunji Ariyomo FNSE, in his speech titled, “Leadership and Mentorship Approaches to Sustainable Service Delivery” said the event is not just a memorial lecture, it is colloquium.
He discussed the significance of mentorship as it relates to leadership, service delivery and the memorable personal examples of the late Olisa of Akure kingdom, Senior High Chief James Raymond Olusoga. He said he’s professional leader with sterling qualities that the world should emulate.
While extolling the various virtues of James Olusoga, he revealed that Olusoga mentored him and this gave him an advantage in life. He further said that mentorship becomes a critical success factor and the Holy Grail for the grooming of the average engineer over a period of time in the expectation of transferring knowledge, experience and technical wherewithal from one generation of Engineers to the other in order to retain the capacity of the engineer for sustainable service delivery.
In his words, ” The late Olisa of Akure and the traditional Prime minister of Akure Kingdom, Senior High Chief James Olusoga, FNSE, proved himself as an uncommon professional leader and a worthy mentor to a generation of engineers.”
The Executive Governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Akeredolu ably represented by Engr. Raimi Olayiwola Aminu, Commissioner on Lands, Works and Infrastructures, also extolled the quality leadership role of Engr. Olusoga, and his indelible impact in the state.
According to him,” When you think project will run into serious troubled waters, Engr. Olusoga in his uncommon professional leadership will rescue the situation. He’s greatly missed.”
Also speaking at the event, Engr. Ezekiel Oloruntola, MNSE, the Chairman Nigerian Society of Engineers, Akure Branch, stated that the epochal event was put together to remember the indelible impact of a great man, as well as celebrate his immense contributions to the development of the Engineering profession.
According to him, the Late Engr. James Raymond Olusoga who mentored many engineers that have today made remarkable impacts in the engineering field.
He added saying that, at the inception of his administration, he promised to initiate an annual memorial lecture to keep the legacies of Chief Olusoga alive in order to encourage the younger ones to pursue a course in engineering.
He said they have put in place an annual scholarship awards for best students in selected science subjects. Three boys from Aquinas college being the Alma Mata of the late Chief Olusoga and two girls from a selected school approved by the planning Committee; this time from Ogbe High school, Oda Town.
He thanked the members of his executive committee for believing in this dream. And for their resourcefulness, organization and candour.
