The Rivers State Branch of the NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF SURVEYORS has been in existence since after the Nigerian civil war. The surveyor general then, late Surv. Chief C.T Hosrsefall was the arrow –head and focal point. Even then, there were just a hand-full of surveyors in the state, most of whom were either not interested or locked dedication to participating in the activities of NIS.
Thus, in the 1980s there was need and desire to form and run NIS in Rivers State, due mainly to the increase in number of surveyors and the willingness to form and run a more vibrant and all inclusive NIS in the state.
Hence this branch was born by first re-starting and calling for meetings of surveyors in Rivers State.
These meeting were made possible by the then surveyor general late surv U.A. Odu who provided accommodation/hall or meeting venue while late surv F.N.Nnaghara fnis of Geosite survey limited did the publicity. These were done, precisely in 1986. The inaugural meeting was well attended so were the subsequent ones by surveyors who were mostly in paid employment.
Within this period, the NIS, Rivers State Branch was formed and late Surv. Hon. Chief L.W. Chuku Fnis was elected chairman, and Surv. Hon. C.D. Charles Fnis as secretary in 1986 as pioneer EXCO.
Chuku led exco served between 1986 and 1989, and at the end or expiration of the tenure, surv. Iche I.O. Ikeh fnis was elected as chairman. He served with surv. J.W. Amadi as secretary between 1989 and 1994 (two tenure). During this period many more surveyors have become interested in NIS activities in the state. Surv. Ikeh Fnis as a divisional surveyor in SPDC encouraged contractors to cause their staff to join NIS. This yielded the desired result as in 1991, the branch was able to host an AGM/C.
The AGM/C was like an eye- opener as many more Surveyors developed interest and become members of NIS at state and national level.
When Surv Ikeh Fnis served out his tenure, he was succeeded in 1994 by late Surv. L.K. Asika Fnis ppnis as chairman and Surv. V.I. Okorokwo Fnis as secretary. This team served out its tenure and was succeeded by late Surv. Hon. Chief L.W. Chuku Fnis, JP in 2000. The Chuku led exco was also able to host a second AGM/C in Port Harcourt in 2004. Late Chuku Fnis jp re-served for close to 14 years and handed over to Surv. J.W. Amadi Fnis in 2014. It is worthy of mention that the tail end of his (Chuku) services was characterized by some internal problems as to who will succeed him.
Finally, Surv. J.W. Amadi Fnis succeeded Chuku and served between 2014 and 2018 with Surv. Hon. A.D.Burabe RSSDS, JP as Secretary. Surv Dr. C.I.W. Ezi Fnis succeeded him in 2018 as chairman, while surv. Amb. E.U. Ajie mnis, as secretary presently, surv. B.S. Legbara mnis, and Surv. K.O. David-west as secretary since 2022.
It is pertinent to mention that, despite all the ups and downs, problems and conflicts in the branch, we have been able to produce the following crops of national leaders.
- Pub secs. Late surv. F.N. Nwikinane 199
Surv. Andy N.Nwikinane 2018 – 2022
- Gen. –Late surv. Adenikunle Olabiyi Fnis 2004/6
Surv. Chief innocent Egbuh Fnis 2006/8
- sec. gen.- ……………………2002/2006
2004/2006
- President – UP/DP –– Late L.K.Asika 2006/2008
—- C.D. Charles Fnis 2018/2021
- Internal auditor – Chima O.Ogba Fnis
And others.
The NIS, Rivers State branch which was re-started in 1996 has produced 9(nine) national officers, 7 (seven) chairmen and a host of other prominent surveyors in the country. In the academic, we can be credited to 3(three) professors and a lot of other academics with ph.d in various disciplines.
The branch is also endowed with the following sup-groups.
- -leaders
- APPSN
- YSN
- WIS
- NASGL
- STUDENTS
- In addition to regional and local professional bodies.
Surv Victor E. Okoro
Publicity secretary 2020-2024
Aims of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors
The aims and objectives of NIS can be summarised as follows:
-To general represent the views of the Surveying profession in the Federal Republic ofNigeria, to preserve and maintain its integrity and status, to consider and deal with matters affecting professional interest of members of the institution.
-To promote and encourage the training and retraining of surveyors.
-To promote the improvement of surveying, mapping and geoinfomtaics through seminars, workshops, symposia, publication, the mandatory continuing professional Development and Education of surveyors
Generally.
-To set and maintain the highest standards of professional conduct, ethics and discipline among
It members.
-To seek and protect the welfare and interest (the economic and social) of member of the institution and to foster the public interest in the matters affecting
-To seek and foster good relationship among members of the institution and members
Of other professional organization in the country and abroad.
-To provide avenue for free exchange of ideas between the institution and similar organizations Of this and other countries.
-To serve and advise the government on legislative and matters Concerning the practice of surveying in the country.
-To cater for the interests of public and private practitioners, Academia. Survey students and other organisations under it
-To seek the professional well-being of its members.
-To maintain the integrity of the profession and enhance its status.
-To provide and support the meduim of for training of Surveyors and improve Survey techniques
-To maintain the highest standard of professional practice and conduct among its members.
-To interact with and advice Government on legislative matters as they affect the profession and genreally