By Ogaga Ariemu
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has tasked Surveyors on professionalism, dedication, devotion to work and nation-building.
Fashola disclosed this during his presentation titled, ‘Human Capital and Institution Building’ at the 39th Olumide Memorial Lecture organized by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) in Abuja on Thursday.
Babatunde who was the Guest Speaker at the event said the generation of Late Surv. Cyprian Olumide laid the foundation of dedication, devotion and professionalism in Nigeria’s Institutions.
He argued that strong men and women rather than strong institutions are the lifewire of nation-building.
He noted that he would rather spend his time building strong character in men and women than institutions.
He emphasized that the quality of any institution is directly related to the quality of human capital.
Babatunde said the values, professional integrity of Surv. Olumide should be replicated across Nigerian institutions.
“We should commend people who do good not because they do it but because they averted evil.
“Everyone has a role to play in nation-building. It is the values that we subscribe to that shape what we do. Surveyors should subscribe to the best professional values.
“We must remind ourselves about our history. Building human capital is not in schools but at home, through proper parenting. If we are having issues with this generation, let’s start investing in the next generation,” he said.
Speaking with journalists at end of the event, the President of NIS Surv. Dr Kayode Oluwamotemi explained that the essence of the lecture is to reiterate the need for passion, dedication to work and the society.
He urged young surveyors to imbibe the culture of absolute commitment to service.
According to him, “Many people over the years through this lecture have learnt about dedication and passion.
“In whatsoever we do, we must learn to do it very well, Surveyor Olumide was the first President of NIS,” he said.
The Registrar Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), Surv. Kabir Mohammed, Acting the Surveyor General of the Federation (SGoF), Surv. Abuduganiyu Adebomehin, Immediate past SGof Surv. Samuel Adeniran Taiwo, Rector Federal School of Surveying, Oyo State, Dr Surv Dupe Olayinya-Dosunmu, the 4th Secretary General of NIS, Surv. Rev. Bosun Ayinde, other past excutives of NIS in their goodwill messages lauded the programme.
The Olumide Memorial Public Lecture is held every year in honour of late Surv. Cyprian Olumide, first president of NIS and a pioneer of modern surveying in Nigeria.