Edo State government will immortalize the late Daniel Omoigui, Nigeria’s first Surveyor-General of the Federation, the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said on Thursday.
Obaseki, at the funeral mass of the late surveyor held at St Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City, described the late Omoigui as a genius and true Edo icon who left several footprints in the sands of time.
According to the governor, “The Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Buildings, which are some of the newest buildings of the Edo State Government will be named Daniel Omoigui GIS Buildings.
We have also decided to upgrade the Department of Survey and Geo-informatics at the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, to the School of Survey and Geomatics and will be named the Daniel Omoigui School of Survey and Geo-informatics.”
Hailing the contributions of the late surveyor to the development of the state and country, Obaseki said, “In my tribute, I called him a genius which is apt after reading through his biography. Surveyor Omoigui was very active in professional activities and contributed to the development of the surveying profession in Nigeria.
“He belonged to several professional bodies in the industry, acting in various capacities, both internationally, nationally, and federal and at state levels. He was a member of several bodies and boards.
“As the Surveyor General of the Federation and Director of Federal Service Department in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Surveyor Daniel Omoigui prepared a memorandum presented to the President and Federal Executive Council for a five year programme for the demarcation, survey and mapping of Nigeria’s international and interstate boundaries; a work significant as the basis for demarcation as stated in Nigeria today.”
He continued: “He spearheaded the establishment of the National Boundaries Commission and Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria, which replaced the Surveyors Licensing Board; established the Office of Surveyor General of the Federation on grade level 17; established the National Advisory Council on Survey and Mapping and the Offices of the Federal Survey in all states of the Federation.
“He was truly an Edo and Nigerian icon and the only token we can give back is to always remember him.”
To the family, Obaseki charged, “You hold a very precious name and I hope you continue to uphold that name.”
