The Geoinformatics and Survey Department of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has celebrated its 55th anniversary amid great fanfare. The occasion brought together those who graduated from the department decades ago.
Why were they in such joyous mood? Almost all the participants were returning to their alma mater several years after they graduated, some now addressed as professors, doctors and chiefs, many holding key positions in government. Some were also meeting for the first time since they graduated more than 50 years ago.
Although, the award gala took place at the Institute of Surveyors’ Secretariat, Surveyors House, Enugu, the opening ceremony was held inside the main hall of the University of Nigeria, Enugu-campus.
Declaring the event open, the new Deputy Vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Prof. Smart Uchegbu challenged surveyors and estate managers to help government find a solution to the frequent cases of building collapse in the country.
He said that this collaboration and advice from experts had become necessary to save further loss of lives arising from collapsed buildings.
Uchegbu, who took over from former DVC, Prof. Ifeoma Enemo, called on the alumni and corporate bodies in the country to support the institution, as government allocation was no longer sufficient to meet its needs and maintain its leading role in the nation’s education industry.
He expressed with joy and sense of fulfilment that the surveying department that started in 1961 with only 12 students, now enjoys students’ enrolment of over 200.
Uchegbu, who represented the VC UNN, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba on the occasion, noted that since inception, the department had made great strides in teaching, learning and research, which he said were the bedrock of the existence of the University, even as he re-assured that the university must continue to ensure that the young receive the best training in this highly competitive world.
He said, “This is a reflection of the importance of this profession in national development, your products are today occupying prominent positions in many areas of human endeavour, both scientific and environmental spheres, in fact, I am informed that one of your products, Emeritus Professor Francis Fajemirokun, former deputy vice chancellor, University of Lagos, would deliver the keynote lecture on this occasion.
“While rejoicing with you on this great gathering, and celebration of 55th anniversary of your alma mater, I invite you to savour the cool scenery of this campus, which I am sure, will bring back old memories of the time you were here as students”.
The head of department of Geoinformatics and surveying, University of Nigeria, Enugu-campus, Dr. Elochukwu Moka, restated the determination of the institution to continue to maintain its pride of place in the comity of modern surveying training in the country, adding that being the first among the first generation universities to offer surveying, they had strived to main that position.
Moka explained that in order to keep abreast with the global changing trend in the profession; the name of the department had been changed from department of surveying to department of surveying, Geodesy and Photogrammetry and now to the department of Geoinformatics and Surveying.
“For us to remain relevant as a force, “he said, “we have tried to embrace every emerging technology in the field of study within the available resources; the university authority has been supportive, notwithstanding the dwindling allocations from the federal government”.
The HOD disclosed that the Education Trust Fund (ETF)had come to their assistance at a point when the federal government attempted to designate the University of Nigeria as a centre of excellence in the study of surveying in the country.
Moka, who graduated from UNN in 1982, also praised the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), the Nigerian Institution of Surveying, Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra state branches and some alumni for supporting the department at different times.
He said that due to the capital intensive nature of the programme, all the supports had not been able to meet the financial demands of running the department, pointing out that the National University Commission, NUC and SURCON accreditation exercises last year, had complained of some of the areas of deficiencies, even as the programme was not threatened by being de-accredited in any way whatsoever.
At the award gala nite, some eminent surveyors, who have contributed to the growth of the profession were honoured, prominent among them were – Professor Emeritus Francis Fajemirokun, Prof. Francis Okeke, the dean, faculty of environmental studies UNEC, Mr. John Okoye, Quarshie-Doku from Ghana, Prof. Okpala Okaka, Dr. Elochukwu Moka, the HOD Geoinformatics and Surveying UNEC, Dr. Ndukwe Emmanuel Chiemelu, Mrs. Mary Bassey Okofu and Dr. Vitus Uzodinma of the University of Nigeria. he Geoinformatics and Survey Department of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has celebrated its 55th anniversary amid great fanfare. The occasion brought together those who graduated from the department decades ago.
Why were they in such joyous mood? Almost all the participants were returning to their alma mater several years after they graduated, some now addressed as professors, doctors and chiefs, many holding key positions in government. Some were also meeting for the first time since they graduated more than 50 years ago.
Although, the award gala took place at the Institute of Surveyors’ Secretariat, Surveyors House, Enugu, the opening ceremony was held inside the main hall of the University of Nigeria, Enugu-campus.
Declaring the event open, the new Deputy Vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Prof. Smart Uchegbu challenged surveyors and estate managers to help government find a solution to the frequent cases of building collapse in the country.
He said that this collaboration and advice from experts had become necessary to save further loss of lives arising from collapsed buildings.
Uchegbu, who took over from former DVC, Prof. Ifeoma Enemo, called on the alumni and corporate bodies in the country to support the institution, as government allocation was no longer sufficient to meet its needs and maintain its leading role in the nation’s education industry.
He expressed with joy and sense of fulfilment that the surveying department that started in 1961 with only 12 students, now enjoys students’ enrolment of over 200.
Uchegbu, who represented the VC UNN, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba on the occasion, noted that since inception, the department had made great strides in teaching, learning and research, which he said were the bedrock of the existence of the University, even as he re-assured that the university must continue to ensure that the young receive the best training in this highly competitive world.
He said, “This is a reflection of the importance of this profession in national development, your products are today occupying prominent positions in many areas of human endeavour, both scientific and environmental spheres, in fact, I am informed that one of your products, Emeritus Professor Francis Fajemirokun, former deputy vice chancellor, University of Lagos, would deliver the keynote lecture on this occasion.
“While rejoicing with you on this great gathering, and celebration of 55th anniversary of your alma mater, I invite you to savour the cool scenery of this campus, which I am sure, will bring back old memories of the time you were here as students”.
The head of department of Geoinformatics and surveying, University of Nigeria, Enugu-campus, Dr. Elochukwu Moka, restated the determination of the institution to continue to maintain its pride of place in the comity of modern surveying training in the country, adding that being the first among the first generation universities to offer surveying, they had strived to main that position.
Moka explained that in order to keep abreast with the global changing trend in the profession; the name of the department had been changed from department of surveying to department of surveying, Geodesy and Photogrammetry and now to the department of Geoinformatics and Surveying.
“For us to remain relevant as a force, “he said, “we have tried to embrace every emerging technology in the field of study within the available resources; the university authority has been supportive, notwithstanding the dwindling allocations from the federal government”.
The HOD disclosed that the Education Trust Fund (ETF)had come to their assistance at a point when the federal government attempted to designate the University of Nigeria as a centre of excellence in the study of surveying in the country.
Moka, who graduated from UNN in 1982, also praised the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), the Nigerian Institution of Surveying, Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra state branches and some alumni for supporting the department at different times.
He said that due to the capital intensive nature of the programme, all the supports had not been able to meet the financial demands of running the department, pointing out that the National University Commission, NUC and SURCON accreditation exercises last year, had complained of some of the areas of deficiencies, even as the programme was not threatened by being de-accredited in any way whatsoever.
At the award gala nite, some eminent surveyors, who have contributed to the growth of the profession were honoured, prominent among them were – Professor Emeritus Francis Fajemirokun, Prof. Francis Okeke, the dean, faculty of environmental studies UNEC, Mr. John Okoye, Quarshie-Doku from Ghana, Prof. Okpala Okaka, Dr. Elochukwu Moka, the HOD Geoinformatics and Surveying UNEC, Dr. Ndukwe Emmanuel Chiemelu, Mrs. Mary Bassey Okofu and Dr. Vitus Uzodinma of the University of Nigeria.
