NEWS - State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba earns lifetime achievement award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

CONTACT: Jeff Cranson, MDOT Director of Communications, 517-648-8247,
                      CransonJ@Michigan.gov 

State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba earns
 lifetime achievement award 

Fast facts:
- State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba was honored by the National Society of Black Engineers for his long-term work in transportation and promoting a diverse workforce.
- The organization's new award was presented at its national convention in Detroit on March 28. 

March 29, 2019 -- State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba was honored on March 28 by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) with their very first "Transportation and Infrastructure Special Interest Group Lifetime Achievement Award." He earned the recognition at the NSBE's 45th annual convention held in Detroit.    

            The new award celebrates industry trailblazers who exemplify outstanding contributions in the field of transportation, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), and those highly motivated leaders who have achieved important goals during their career by positively impacting and advancing the industry of transportation and infrastructure. This is the NSBE Transportation and Infrastructure Special Interest Group's highest individual achievement.

            "I am truly humbled to be the very first person to receive this high honor by an exceptional organization," Ajegba said. "Together with my colleagues in the industry, I hope we can inspire the next generation of students to become future engineers." 

            Ajegba was selected because of his tremendous efforts in creating the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Diversity Recruitment Program, which is a partnership between MDOT and colleges and universities throughout the state. The program offers valuable on-the-job training and job shadowing to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in engineering and other transportation-related careers.

            NSBE also recognized Ajegba for his 28 years of experience with MDOT, where he previously served three months as Metro Region engineer and before that as University Region engineer. Ajegba was praised for his involvement in the planning, design and construction of several major projects, including the US-23 Flex Route, the I-94 rehabilitation project in Ann Arbor/Jackson, the I-96/US-23 interchange, and the I-75 freeway project.

            "As a professional engineer, Mr. Ajegba represents many of us in NSBE in the profession of civil engineering because he truly understands the transportation and infrastructure industry. He leads 'one of fifty' of the departments of transportation in the nation," said Tajudeen A. Bakare, founder of the NSBE Transportation and Infrastructure Special Interest Group, and principal and chief engineer with CT Consultants. "We are presenting him with this award to show our appreciation and respect for his upbringing, journey from 'motherland and heart of Africa,' education, leadership, professional expertise, and, finally, for his distinguished contribution to our industry of transportation."

            With more than 500 chapters and more than 19,000 active members in the U.S. and abroad, NSBE is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the United States. Founded in 1975, NSBE supports and promotes the aspirations of collegiate and pre-collegiate students and technical professionals in engineering and technology. NSBE's mission is "to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community." For more information, visit www.nsbe.org.

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Michigan Department of Transportation
State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba
© 2019 MDOT Photography Unit