BY DENNIS UDOMA
The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Akwa Ibom State branch and the Federal University of Technology (FUTIA), Ikot Abasi have zealed a partnership agreement to work together in developing the newly established institution.
The Akwa Ibom Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, ESV. Obot Akpan performed the deal when he led his Executive and senior members of the institution to the Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Leo Daniel on a courtesy visit.
ESV. Obot Akpan, on behalf of the body commended the Vice Chancellor of the University and Management for the smooth take – off of the institution and pledged their organization’s corporate partnership in the area of professional expertise, industry experience among others to the university.
According to him, “the stakeholders of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Akwa Ibom branch, are in your office today in our desire to explore areas we can collaborate and contribute to the development of the University in areas of capacity building and sustainable development.
“We are collaborating with tertiary Institutions across the state particularly, where Estate Management is taught in addition to contributing to the development of the country. The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers was established in 1969 through Decree No. 24 of 1975 now Cap 111 LFN 1990. And it may interest you to know that, the first graduate of Estate Management in Nigeria, Mr. John – wood Ekpenyong came from Oku Iboku in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The Chairman of NIESV, used the occasion to appeal to the Vice – Chancellor for the establishment of the Department of Estate
Management alongside other environmentsl management science related courses in the Faculty of Environmental Science and Technology to grow the profession n Nigeria.
Others are; employment of qualified indigenous Estate Surveyors and Valuers with requisite academic and professional qualifications and experience as lecturers in the proposed Department of Estate Management; engagement of members in the Estate and Works
department, and physical planning unit of the University for the purpose of advising and managing the physical assets of the University for sustainability.
He further ststed that, as the development of infrastructure and other assets of
the University progresses, there would be need for valuation services to guide the citadel in business decisions and pledged to be of service to the university in handling such responsibilities.
ESV. Akpan however added that, members of the institution are well trained in land
administration/management, asset valuation for all purposes, property
rating and taxation; management of public property and facilities for
efficiency among others.
“Professionally, our members hold
leadership positions of land administration, management of public
property and facilities in many States, agencies, public and private
organizations currently” and assured the VC their professional willingness and readiness to partner the varsity for sustainable development of facilities”, he said.
Other senior professional members of NIESV, who corroborated their chairman, thanked the VC and management for accepting to partner the body to develop the institution.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof, Leo Daniel in his responses, thanked the group for the visit and expressed management’s appreciation for the corporate partnership they pledged.
He assured his guests that, the university was already working on the establishment of a Department of Estate Management, Naval Architecture and Cyber Security among other academic disciplines to be offered by the institution.
Prof. Leo Daniel also promised to partner the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the State a symbiotic relationship in the development of the university going forward.
Other members of the university management during the courtesy visit were; the Registrar, Mrs Offiongita Nkanga and Bursar, Dr Mbobo Erasmus Mbobo.
