NIESV tasks members on political participation, interest in governance
The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has tasked its members to take part in politics and also show interest in governance and policy making in the country.
Emeka Eleh, president of the institution, gave this task in his welcome speech at the 19th annual memorial lecture in Lagos recently, in honour of John Wood Ekpenyong.
Ekpenyong was the first president of NIESV and pioneer estate surveyor and valuer in the country.
The well-attended lecture had in attendance the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha and a representative of the Lagos State governor, Olatunji Odulanmide, the permanent secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Housing and a member of the institution.
Eleh’s charge to the members was apparently sparked by the presence of Victor Umeh, national chairman, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), who was among 20 other members inducted as fellows of the institution.
He stressed that active participation of professionals in politics would aid nation building and the transformation agenda of government.
“Members of NIESV must become active in the politics of this country for the good of the profession and in the greater interest of Nigeria,” he remarked, adding, “it is only when you are in government through participation that you can initiate and influence policies affecting our profession and other Nigerians for good.”
Speaking on the theme of the lecture ‘Honesty and Devotion in Nigeria’s Transformation Agenda,’ the NIESV president reminded the members that their professional training in project management and asset valuation places them in good stead to transform Nigeria through honest and transparent leadership.
“Members of NIESV, by their training and professional background, have the capacity to offer leadership that can transform the country and I encourage all of us to show more than a passing interest in governance,” he said.
He congratulated Umeh and Palibo Harry, the Rivers State commissioner for employment generation and empowerment, for the strides they have made in politics and predicted that members of the institution would, in the years ahead, become governors of states.
