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BE A HUB FOR POLICY DIALOGUE, INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS — AIYEDATIWA CHARGES ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS
Ondo state Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa has urged members of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE) to begin active participation in aligning technology with regulatory foresights, bearing in mind that efficient energy management is now a necessity.
The Governor spoke at the Inauguration Ceremony of the 5th chapter Chairman and Swearing-in of the 2025/2026 NIEEE Executive members, Akure.
Represented by the Special Adviser on Power, Engr. (Dr.) Johnson Alabi, the Governor congratulated the leadership and members of the Chapter, saying that it was not just a major milestone in the engineering profession in Ondo State, but a welcome development in the drive to entrench professionalism, innovation, and excellence in the energy sector.
Giving the inaugural lecture with the theme: “Policy and Regulatory Framework for Efficient Energy (Electricity) Management” Dr. Ayedatiwa said, “This could not have been more appropriate, especially at a time when Nigeria is undergoing significant electricity market reforms”.
“We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s power sector where we must balance increasing demands, limited generation, weak infrastructure, and financial sustainability while ensuring access, reliability, and affordability for our people; The key to achieving this lies not only in infrastructure development but also in robust policy and regulatory frameworks that provide clarity, direction, and confidence for both public and private actors”.
The Governor mentioned that one of the major proactive steps taken by his administration in the electricity sector was to grant the approval of the first ever Electricity License.
Ayedatiwa also mentioned that the government is at the advanced stage of concluding the franchising framework for the distribution of electricity within the state that would allow for better accountability and a commercial environment that rewards efficiency, innovations and customer satisfaction.
He however stated that despite the efforts so far, inherent regulatory gaps and challenges abound and have to be surmounted, thus the urgent need for active participation by engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to work together in aligning technology with regulatory foresight.
In conclusion he said, “As a government, we are open to collaborations; We will continue to work closely with professional bodies such as yours to ensure that policies are not made in isolation, but with the benefit of local expertise and global best practices”, he said.
The immediate Past NIEEE Chairman (Akure Chapter) Engr. Samuel Folurunso, expressed gratitude to God and members for the series of achievements during his tenure, saying it wasn’t without challenges however, the lessons learnt helped to reinforce the importance of team work and persistence in leadership. He congratulated the new Chairman and executives, saying their appointment was well deserved, even as he urged them to build on the existing legacies.
Earlier, President NIEEE and Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Felix Olu, represented by the deputy President, Engr. Dr Felix Adegboye commended the immediate past Chairman for his exemplary leadership and seamless transition which he said was highly essential to the NIEEE just as he reposed confidence in the new Chairman.
He charged the new executive members to put in their best under the leadership of the Chairman and work together as a team, positing that the NIEEE is poised to collaborate with the government in ensuring that citizens enjoy better electricity supply experience.
The inaugural Chairman, Engr. Adedokun Adeyonu, in his speech, pledged to serve with utmost sincerity, dedication and selflessness. He highlighted key focus areas for partnerships and growth that would strengthen the institute.
According to a statement signed by the Media Officer to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, Debbie Funmilayo, highlights of the event was the Investiture of the 5th Chapter Chairman and presentation of awards to the Ondo State Governor and other distinguished personalities that have added immense contributions to the power and electricity industry.
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