Posted by FRANCA OGBEH on
Engr. (Mrs) Ona Okoli had a fair share of exposure to the American society, having studied and worked in the US. She studied structural engineering which she finds fulfilling. Here, this former president of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), talks about her profession and other issues.
Engr. (Mrs) Ona Okoli had a fair share of exposure to the American society, having studied and worked in the US. She studied structural engineering which she finds fulfilling. Here, this former president of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), talks about her profession and other issues. Excerpts:
I HAD my primary and secondary education in Nigeria before going to the USA. I attended Lake Forest College, a liberal arts college, and then transferred to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaigne for my B.Sc in civil engineering. I got my M.Sc in structural engineering from Rice University, Houston, Texas and worked for a while as a structural engineer in the USA before coming back to Nigeria. Actually, I went to the USA to study medicine and it was my adviser who, having watched my academic performance for a while, suggested that I go into something else because I have a quantitative mind and deal better with numbers. It was a big relief because I never felt strongly about medicine. My brother asked me to consider engineering which was scary because I thought it was all about digging, climbing and hammering but engineering is about mental dexterity, not physical. Once I got into engineering, it accommodated all of me in terms of mathematical and scientific expression, artistry, creativity, etc.
Engineering education in the USA is qualitative and practical because of the highly organized society and educational system. They have dedicated faculty curriculum that is followed to the letter, well equipped laboratory and funded researches. There are grants, loans, scholarships to ease financial pressures, aesthetically pleasing environment, good accommodation and food. In fact, the entire city is a classroom with its libraries, museum of science and industry and other specialized museums, artistic and cultural center and job opportunities that offer students learning opportunities.
At present, I work for Matrix Engineering Corporation as a structural engineer. My job in simple terms, is to "make a building stand" and not collapse under the load it is subjected to. This is achieved by using mathematical and scientific principles, observing national, city and material codes and specifications, maintaining the architect's design concept and minimizing cost to the client. It is really challenging but quite fulfilling. Human beings, I believe, are meant for meaningful and creative work which makes one a wholesome individual.
Matrix Engineering Corporation is a structural engineering firm in Chicago, Illinois and it is owned by a Nigerian, Dr. Gene Mojekwu, who is also adjunct professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Nigerians excel greatly in the right environment. You have Nigerian professionals (men and women) displaying great ability in different fields all over the USA. With the right value system, educational and economic infrastructure, such talents could be harnessed here.
I usually stay in Chicago for the period of six or eight months and in Nigeria the rest of the year. I am able to do this due to a special arrangement and it is interesting how information technology is making the world a global village and revolutionizing the way we work. Sometimes when I am in Nigeria, I still work for Matrix. All the drawings, calculations and information exchanges are done through the internet, faxes and telephone. This exercise is hindered by lack of access to high speed internet and other infrastructural problems. With proper infrastructure and organization, Nigerians can also work for companies in other countries while residing in Nigeria. This is called ‘Outsourcing' and India is benefitting a lot from this new trend.
Presently, I do not plan to go back to Chicago except on short visits. I hope to render my services here by way of appointment, employment or private endeavors and pray that situation will not force me to go out as it did the first time. On how to prevent buildings from collapsing in Nigeria, I think the frequency of building collapse here is alarming especially in recent months. Building process should be handled carefully and with the appropriate professionals. The following should be observed in the building process. The licensed structural engineers should do the structural design. Contractors (builders) should be licensed and have insurance and not an all comers affair. Soil test should be conducted for proper foundation design which is indispensable in structural stability. Some uninformed contractors will claim that they have built the same structure elsewhere without realizing that different soil condition might call for entirely different foundation system.
Every plan should be approved by the appropriate plan approval authority after a thorough design check had been done by licensed professionals.
There is need for issuance of construction permit after the appointed contractor is verified and every other requirement met. Construction should be supervised to ensure that it is per the structural design. This is done by the site engineer in collaboration with the structural engineering firm that designed the building. Construction materials should be tested periodically, especially when in doubt of the source. No alterations should be made on site by the owner or contractor without going back to the structural engineer's desk and approval of the authority.
Structural systems
Owners sometimes add a third and fourth levels to structural systems designed only for two. Every job site should have a proper display of the names of the architect, structural engineer, geotechnical engineer, plan approval and construction permit numbers, insurance company, and other professionals involved with the building. COREN and town planning authority should collaborate and set up a task force to ensure that every ongoing construction is in compliance with all the requirements.
On my view about the Nigerian woman, I think very highly of the Nigerian woman . Women are richly endowed with intellect, emotion and intuition. They perform well when given the privilege as demonstrated by the likes of Prof. Dora Akunyili, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, etc. I advocate affirmative action which is a deliberate policy to bridge the gap in areas where women are disadvantaged, such as governance. We have a lot of capable women in Nigeria.
The present administration has done a good job in appointing women but it is not enough. I was reading an article on the vice president of South Africa, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and was impressed with how efficiently she has handled her various appointments and how she looks out for the interest and empowerment of women wherever she is. She is a good example to follow. It will also be a positive development for the nation if a woman becomes the next vice-president. Women are not given enough opportunity in some work places, even in governance.