By Adedapo Adesanya
The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr James Momoh, was on Sunday inducted into the United States’ National Academy of Engineering.
This was announced by the NAE President, Mr John L. Anderson, who noted that Mr Momoh was the only Sub-Saharan African on the 2020 list comprising 86 new members and 18 international members.
This brings the total US membership to 2,309 and the number of international members to 281.
Election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.
Academy membership honours those who have made outstanding contributions to “engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature.”
It also awards “the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.”
Election of new NAE members is the culmination of a yearlong process. The ballot is set in December and the final vote for membership occurs during January.
The mission of the NAE is to advance the well-being of the nation by promoting a vibrant engineering profession and by marshalling the expertise and insights of eminent engineers to provide independent advice to the federal government on matters involving engineering and technology.
The NAE is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, an independent, nonprofit organization chartered by Congress to provide objective analysis and advice to the nation on matters of science, technology, and health.
Dipo Olowookere