By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, NIS, yesterday in Abuja inducted 16 surveyors as fellows.
Fellowship is the topmost echelon of membership of the NIS that surveyors duly recognised and certified by the Surveyors Council of Nigeria, SURCON
, can attain, following their induction into the profession as surveyors no matter how long it takes them to satisfy the professional requirements.
In his address, the Guest Speaker Barr. H.N. C. Moghalu who stressed the need for surveyors to recover their profession from quacks he said had almost taken over their jobs in the country, urged the inductees to strive hard to remain the beaming light of the profession and always live above board in their professional journey and be conscious of the fact that to whom much is given much is expected.
“I understand that the primary aim of this event is to reward certain surveyors who have attained the dignify heights of excellence in the surveying profession.
“And I believe as well that the emphasis is on the hard work, perseverance and determination that it takes to obtain that prestigious status. This is especially against the backdrop of the dwindling glory of the practice of surveyors across the country, which has very poorly affected their participation as experts in land litigation in Nigeria.
“Now the downward spill now experienced in surveying practice are at different levels is no doubt informed by the unfortunate appropriation of the professional responsibilities of surveyors by quacks who put out themselves before the unsuspecting public as surveyors find a way to proceed complicity between surveyors,” he noted.
Moghalu who did not spare the bad eggs in the profession of blame said the “perceived complicity between some surveyors and the quacks was also responsible for the disastrous trend which usually involves the defrauding of prospective clients”.
In his remarks, the President of NIS and Guest of Honour at the event, Surv. Kayode David Oluwamotemi, having congratulated the new fellows, reminded them that fellowship investiture placed greater responsibility on them and they must rise to the occasion.
He urged tham to make themselves available at all times of need at the state and federal levels as the investiture confers the role of professional elders on them.
In the same vein, the Chairman, Board of Fellows, Surv. Sola Atilola while delivering his welcome address earlier challenged the inductees to live up to professional expectations in carrying out the enormous task placed on them by the investiture.
The newly invested fellows of NIS are: Adeoye, Gbadebo Julius; Fadahunsi, Joseph Tunde; Animam, Emmanuel Edet Sunday; Falaye, Bankole Feyisara; Olugbemiro, Olakunle Olumide; Adegoke, Abiodun Sunday; Kasim, Faidat Folasade; Ekundayo, and James Olufemi.
Others are: Kassim, Fuad Adekunle; Adeusi, Adefowope Sunday; Ogundare, Moses Olukayode; Olufemi, Sigismund Olatunji, Oke, Oluseyi Odunayo; Okoeguale, Patricia Osariemen; Alabi, Stephen Asaolu; Okeke, and Jonas Onwuegbuchulam.
Added to the 453 the institution has produced so far in the past, NIS now has 469 Fellows throughout the country.