Members of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in Ondo State which consist of registered and recognized practicing surveyors rolled out drums to celebrate 2022 annual Survey Week with a call to governments at all levels to support them in the procurement of sophisticated digital equipments as the leadership of the institution under Surv. (Mrs.) Hellen Fakorede is working hard to ensure best practices among members.
Briefing the journalists on Saturday December, 17, 2022 at NIS Secretariat, along Agagu road, Akure, Ondo State, the Chairman of the Institution, Surv. (Mrs.) Hellen Fakorede(FINS) who was represented by her Vice, Surv. Ezekiel Oloruntoba Afriyo, (FNIS) said the Institution started the week long events on Monday 12TH with street walk, opening ceremony and quiz competition among some selected secondary schools in the state.
Surv. Ariyo pointed out that the theme of 2022 Survey Week centered on Council of Works Resolutions: Appraisal and Implementation of Surveying and Geo-Informatics Aspects as a way to encourage best practices among members of the Institution.
He noted that the second day of the programme featured lecture on stress management, free medical test on Sugar level and blood pressure for members and that they also received the SURCON President, Surv. Clement Nwabuchie (FNIS) who came to grace the occasion all the way from Abuja.
Football match between members of NIS and NBA in Ondo State also took place on Wednesday 14TH of December and the game ended in 2:0 in favour of NIS who took home advantage of the novelty match.
Earlier, on Wednesday the members of the Institution had two different lectures on Council Works Resolutions and Surveyors and Security Challenges where core issues were marshaled as it affect surveying in the country.
According to him: “On Thursday we had our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and a carnival like dinner which the climaxed the celebration.
“On Friday 16th of December we had our thanksgiving service in Muslim way in one of the leading mosques in town”, Ariyo said.
Immediately after press Conference they went to Ondo State orphanage home to make donations of some food items and crowned the whole event with special church thanksgiving service at St. Mary Catholic Church, Don Bosco, Araromi Akure.
He used the medium to call on government to give surveyors pride of place in governance because of the critical position they occupy in the society and that they have what it takes to tackle menace of insecurity in the country.
In his words: “Some of the equipments we are using in surveying business can detect the criminals hide-out with a view to bringing them to book.
“Also in the area of mapping, we need government assistance; this is because it requires sophisticated equipments. Now that the world has become a global village, it will be easier for us to operate if government can help us to procure of some of these equipments”, Ariyo appealed.
In the same way, he used the occasion to charge all the members of the Institution to procure modern equipments to enable them to meet up with the current trend of best practices.
Also in his comment, High Chief (Surv.) Lawal Leasu called on government at all levels to patronize members of the Institution while handling projects like road construction, building of government Estate and other businesses that required expertise of Surveyors.
Surv. Lawal said: “Government should look into Council of Works Resolutions, which consist of resolutions made by Permanent Secretaries, Ministers and other topnotch officials of government from all states. In 2018 some of the resolutions they made are still begging for attention from government, we will be happy if the government can accede to our request in this area.
“If you look at the road construction, you will not see the name of surveyor there, whereas, surveyor supposed to have their contributions in it, in the area of mapping and so on. Instead of engaging Surveyors, they give the job to Civil Engineers as a way of encouraging quackery.
“We told our Governor when we visited him last time that we need Surveyor Estate because surveyors are the ones doing the survey of various categories of land in Ondo State, government should endeaour to give us ‘Surveyors’ Estate’ as a sign of honour to us”.
Mr. Adepoju Adelami who also spoke with the Democrat News Magazine said the members of the general public should always look out for the logo of a truly certified surveyor and that they should make thorough enquiries before they commit their resources into the hand of any unauthorized person(s) who claim to be surveyors.
Some of the members of the committee present at the briefing include Chairman 2022 Survey Week Planning Committee, High Chief Lawal Leasu, Secretary of Women in Surveying, Miss. Abiodun and Representative of Young Surveyors’ Network, Mr. Adepoju Adelami.
The state executive members of the institution include, Surv. F.H Fakorede (FNIS)-Chairman, Surv. E.O Ariyo (FNIS)-Vice Chairman, Surv. O.Z Adeogun (FNIS)- General Secretary, Surv. Olalekan Ojo (MNIS), Surv. (Mrs.) P. Obiora (MNIS), Surv. (Dr.) S.O Ogunlade (MNIS), Surv.Olanibi Adebiyi (MNIS) Surv. Akintunde Robert (MNIS), Surv. J.I Olofinte (FNIS) Ex-Officio.
Highlights of the event include inaugurations of executive members of Young Surveyor’ Network and women in surveying respectively.
The executive members of YSN are Surv. Oyedotuun Abel Timileyin-Chairman, Adewumi Gbenga-Deputy Chairman, Adepoju Adelami- Secretary, Olabode Taiwo- AGS, Lajumomi Lucky- Fin Sec, Miss. Omoniyi Ubaidat Opeyemi- Treasurer and Oluwaseun Adewale-Publicity Sec.
Also the executive members Women in Surveying Ondo State include Surv. (Mrs.) Olubode Ogunlusi Morenike- Coordinator, Surv. (Mrs.) Oluwatuy Abiodun- General Sectary, Surv. Omoniyi Ubaidat Opeyemi – Ass. Gen. Sec., Surv. (Mrs.) Akinbola Modupe- Financial Secretary, Surv. (Mrs.) C.O Olupona- Treasurer and Adesina Abiodun Fikayomi-Publicity/Welfare.