INVESTITURE OF THE 1ST PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL

On Friday, 1st December, 2006 at Ikeja Airport Hotel, Institute for operations Research of Nigeria positioned itself for real business by the investiture of the first president and chairman of council. Though, diministive in stature the super giant in knowledge, Prof. Joseph Funsho Akingbade became the first president/chairman of council of Africa’s second operations research institute. The chairman of the occasion was Alh. (Dr) Bamanga M. Tukur, CON while chief L.E.A, Aimiuwu was the guest speaker. The event, which according to the registrar marks the celebration of achievements, recognition of excellence and consolidation of a dream that became real, was attended by notable people from diverse institutions and organisations.

Major activities of the day included conferment of fellowship on eighteen fellow of the institute and induction of thirty-nine new members. Furthermore, in commemoration of the investiture some individuals who have distinguished themselves in the application of operations research methods as evidenced by their excellent performances in their chosen careers were recognised and honoured as fellow of the institute. These include Chief john Agboola Odeyemi (The obasewa of Ife) MFR, Chief Lea Aimiuwu, (The osayuwanoba of Benin kingdom) OON, Alhaji (Dr) Bamanga M. Tukur, CON, Prof Eyitayo Lambo, OFR (Minister of health) and Prof Oye Ibidapo Obe (Vice-chancellor, Unilag).

In his welcome address, the registrar/chief executive, Mr Lawal A.O attributed failure of underdeveloped countries to total disregard for scientific approach and methodology in tackling operational problems in varied circumstances.

He explained that most planning efforts in developing countries were based on intuition, wishful thinking rather than facts. He therefore, opined that the earlier Nigerians imbibe the spirit of Operations Research, the better for its development because whoever is ingrained in Operations Research portends high probability of not being susceptible to certain behaviours such as embezzlement, bribery, impersonation, etc; all being of falsehood and distortion of fact.

The President/Chairman of Council in his speech emphasized that the fundamental imperative of Operations Research is inculcating the culture of scientific objectivity rather than wishful thinking or self-deceit in addressing issues and situations at all level, be it personal or national, and even global. He was therefore, of the opinion that no time is more suspicious than now for this nation to have a professional body like INFORN.

In conclusion, He congratulated the distinguished fellowship awardees for having taken a significant step in the direction of achieving a rebirth of Nigeria.

One of the high points of the occasion was the lecture titled ‘Tomorrow is Yesterday’ delivered by the special guest speaker on the occasion, Chief L.E.A Aimiuwu, OON (The Osayuwanoba of Benin kingdom). He did not only thrill the audience but sensitize them to operations research issues that can shape their day to day endeavours. He drew the attention of the audience to the fact that OR is acknowledge by all professional disciplines as an efficacious decision-support system. According to him, OR has affirmed its usefulness and practical value in problem definition, strategy determination, policy formulation, decision making, project implementation, progress monitoring, performance measurement, review and feedback.

On the way forward, Chief Aimiuwu suggested that the institute might have to re-brand OR and popularize it demystifying it as an abstract, esoteric discipline for the privileged few, and re-position it as decision enhancer, management enables and development catalyst. He further advised that this should be assisted by a sustained campaign and promotion of OR as a way of thinking rather than as a set of techniques and models.

Concluding the event, the Registrar/Chief Executive of the Institution, Mr. A.O. Lawal decorated and presented the instrument of office to the President/Chairman of Council, Prof. Joseph Funsho Akingbade amidst loud ovation.