R-L: Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Prof. S.G. Tyoden, Engr. B. O. Nwude, FNSME, and Engr. S. J. Mallo, FNSME

The 15^th Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Conference tagged “TIN CITY 2015” of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME) was held at Auditorium of Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos, and Hill Station Hotel, Jos, Plateau State, November 3-6, 2015 with the theme “Resurgence of Nigerian Mining Industry: A Key to Revival of Nigerian Economy”. The 15^th AGM/Conference has come and gone but its memories stay with us.

The Pre- Conference Panel Discussion which attracted over 400 participants was held on 4^th November, 2015 at the Auditorium of Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos under the chairmanship of Dr. Mathew O. Offodile, FNMGS, FNAH. The Panel of Discussants included Engr. B. O. Nwude, FNSME, Engr. Dr. E. O. A. Damisa, FNSME, Engr. B. M. Bugaje, FNSME, Engr. M.S. Jibril, FNSME, Dr. Ezuma Ozaemena, Mr. Frank Ikwueme, Engr. D. Awojobi, FNSME, Engr. A. O. Taiwo, Mr. Patrick Ojeka. The session was coordinated by Engr. Adedeji A. O. Adetunji, FNSME.

The lead papers presenters were Engr. Prof. Z. O. Opafunso, who spoke on “Strategy for the Development of Nigerian Mining Industry”, Engr. Prof. Abdullahi I. Madugu who addressed, “Coal for Power Generation”, Engr. Prof. S. J. Mallo, FNSME, who spoke on “One Century of Mining on the Jos, Plateau State: Prospective and Critical Debates”, Prof. E. C. Ashano, FNMGS, who talked on ‘Trends in Global Mining Sector” , Engr. Prof. B. M. Olaleye, FNSME, who spoke “Capacity Development in the Mining Industry”, and Engr. S. O. Oladipo, FNSME, spoke on ‘Socio-economic Impact of Artisanal & Small-Scale Mining”.

The Pre-AGM Panel Discussion was followed by well crafted technical session which received presentations on sub-theme of the conference. Thereafter, the 15^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society was held under the chairmanship of NSME President, Engr. B. O. Nwude, FNSME. Reports were received from the executive officers. A successful election of Members- in- Council was conducted and the announcement of elected executive officers was made. The hosting right of 16^th AGM/Conference was given to Abuja Zonal Chapter.

The opening ceremony of the 15^th AGM/Conference took place on Thursday 5^th November, 2015. It was well attended by members, government officials, captains of industry, and distinguished guests. In attendance were Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong represented by Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, the Deputy Governor of Plateau State; the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, represented by Engr. D. A. Awojobi, FNSME; the Director General of Mining Cadastre, Engr. M. K. Amate represented by Engr. O. S. Nkom, FNSME; the President of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Prof. Gbenga Okunola, FNMGS represented Prof. Saidu Baba, the Registrar of Council of Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG), Engr. B. M. Bugaje, FNSME; Director, Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Engr Dr. U. S. Bamalli, Dr. M. O. Offodile, FNMGS, Prof. S. C. Teme, FNMGS, the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry of Nasarawa State and many other dignitaries.

The opening ceremony received a welcome address by the host, NSME President, Engr. B. O. Nwude, FNSME, an address by Chief Host, His Excellency, the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, and a Keynote address by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

R-L: Engr. B. O. Nwude, FNSME, Engr. D. A. Awojobi, FNSME, Engr. Dr. E. O. A. Damisa, FNSME, and Hon. Commission of Commerce & Industry of Nasarawa State

The following distinguished persons were conferred with the Honorary Fellowship of our great Society: Dr. Emmanuel O. Egbogah, PhD, DIC, D.Sc., OON, Chairman, Emerald Energy Resources Limited, Former, Special Adviser to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Petroleum Matters in recognition and appreciation of his exemplary leadership qualities and unmatched contributions and achievements to humanity and development of energy sector both in Nigeria and other countries; Prof. So-ngor Clifford Teme, FNMGS, and 27th President of NMGS, in recognition and appreciation of his exemplary leadership qualities and significant contributions in the field of earth sciences; and Dr. Ezuma Ozaemena, Executive Chairman, Eta Zuma W/A Ltd, in recognition and appreciation of his doggedness in investing in solid minerals sub-sector of the national economy and his generous financial support to our great Society.

The following distinguished members of our great Society were elected into the Class of Fellow: Prof. Zacheus O. Opafunso, Engr. Sylvanus Ghasarah, Engr. Gallio Emmanuel Dagu, Engr. Dr. Umar Saidu Bamalli, and Engr. Anthony Ojile. The lasted Mining Journal was presented to the public by Engr. Markus Pwajok, FNSME. The Master of Ceremonies was Engr. Adedeji A. O. Adetunji, FNSME.

The 15^th AGM/Conference of the Society was rounded up with Dinner and Award Night. The elegant occasion was opened with a short welcome address by the President of our great Society. The members were treated with delicious meals, drinks and cool music to match. They had uncommon opportunity to socialize and network. The highlight of the impressive evening was the conferment of Fellowship Award on Prof. Zacheus O. Opafunso, Engr. Sylvanus Ghasarah, Engr. Gallio Emmanuel Dagu, Engr. Dr. Umar Saidu Bamalli, and Engr. Anthony Ojile by the NSME President, Engr. B. O. Nwude, FNSME, in appreciation and recognition of their outstanding contributions to the growth of our Society and the Nigerian Minerals industry. On behalf of award recipients, Engr. A. Ojile, FNSME thanked the entire membership of the Society for the great honour done on them and promised to redouble their efforts in the service of the Society and mineral sector of our country. The event was crowned by installation of Engr. Dr. E.O.A. Damisa, FNSME as the 6^th President of Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers. In his post- installation speech, Engr. Dr. Damisa, FNSME, on behalf of the newly elected members of Council, thanked the members of our great Society for the confidence reposed in them to run the affairs of the Society for next two professional years. He commended his predecessors for their significant contributions and selfless service to the growth of our great Society and promised to add value to the achievements of the Society so far. The Master of Ceremonies of the elegant evening outing was Engr. Adedeji Adetunji, FNSME. The Society will ever be grateful to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of ‘TIN CITY 2015’and many individuals and corporate organizations for their immeasurable contributions to success of the 15^th AGM/Conference.