Kemi Olatunde

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reiterated his administration’s commitment in promoting professionalism, enforcing regulatory standards and encouraging innovation to discourage quackery and other challenges facing the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in the state.

He spoke while giving his remarks at the investiture of new fellows of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) in Akure on Tuesday.

According to him, government is committed to sustainable development, noting that his government is undertaking significant projects, including the construction of dual carriageways in several parts of the State as well as the proposed airstrip construction in Okitipupa, where surveyors’ expertise is crucial.

While thanking the leadership and members of NIS for choosing the State as the venue for this year’s investiture ceremony, he described Surveyors as critical architects of progress who according to him, laid the foundation for modern civilisation through urban planning, infrastructure development and geospatial data management.

Represented by the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, he congratulated the latest Fellows, stating that the recognition validates excellence, ethical conduct and outstanding contributions to surveying and national development.

He hinted that the Office of the Surveyor General has been upgraded to a full-fledged government agency, adding that a competent officer has been appointed as the substantive Surveyor General to ensure that the profession is held in high esteem.

He charged the new Fellows to serve as exemplars of the highest standards and mentors to younger generations, saying “the profession must evolve, embracing digital technologies to remain competitive.”

Speaking on the role of surveying and geoinformatics professionals in the activities of Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal, the guest speaker and Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Mainasara Kogo, emphasised their importance in promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct in public service.

He stated that surveying and geoinformatics are vital in areas such as asset declaration and verification, investigations and monitoring, evidence gathering and analysis, asset tracking and management, and the provision of accurate and reliable spatial data.

He explained that surveying and geoinformatics professionals possess critical skills for spatial asset verification, which according to him remains underutilised in the fight against corruption, noting that lack of integration of geospatial tools in the operation of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Tribunal reduces the effectiveness of asset tracking and declaration validation.

He stated that there was growing recognition of the need for inter agency collaboration involving land registries, cadastral agencies and anti-corruption bodies.

In his address, Chairman, Board of Fellows, NIS, Surv. Olusola Atilola stressed the need for fellows to provide purposeful leadership, enforce the constitution and code of ethics of the profession, ensure inclusiveness as well as protect the fundamental rights of all surveyors to associate, participate and practice freely in the country without hindrance.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of an appreciation award to Governor Aiyedatiwa for being the guest of honour at the event.