Global Surveyors Day: NIS Takes ‘Catch Them Young’ Campaign to Schools in Kaduna
From: Edirin Robinson
In commemoration of Global Surveyors Day, the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) Kaduna State Branch has commenced the ‘Catch Them Young’ campaign in secondary schools to enlighten students on the need and importance of choosing Survey as a career choice.
Speaking during the event at Joy International School, Barnawa, the State Council Chairman, Surv. Maikano Samson explained that as the world keeps changing, there is a need to fill in the growing vacancies available in the surveying profession to enhance development in the State and Country at large.
He shared that, a Foundation owned by Women in Survey (WIS) has provided scholarships for girls who choose to study survey to encourage them and assist them in functioning well in the field.
“The Global Surveyors Day is a day to celebrate surveyors and their works across the globe. Surveyors function in every field, but many don’t know the importance of surveying, which is why they take it as nothing and prefer other careers to it.
“So, we are here to catch them young, explaining to the students the importance of surveying at this stage they are choosing their life career. We want them to embrace surveying, and that was why we brought the message to their doorstep.
“Survey is a practical thing and it’s vast. Unlike the previous days when surveyors struggled to work, these days, we are provided with friendly technological equipment that makes the work faster and more qualitative.
“These days, we have people posing as surveyors trying to do the work, but that’s not possible, and that’s why we are facing the issue of quackery. But if we have more people who decide to study and understand the profession and practice it well, there will be a positive development in this country.”
Similarly, the former Registrar of the Surveyors’ Council of Nigeria, Surv. Winston Ayeni stressed the need to inform and educate students about the Surveying Profession, adding that there are many benefits to it.
According to him, most times, people do professions that they are forced to, which is not the best, “I have never regretted Surveying. I started surveying in 1972, and it has taken me to every part of the world.”
Describing surveying as a business, Ayeni said that everybody needs surveying, adding that if you don’t have a surveyor, you are blind.
“We need more hands in the field. Surveying is the only profession that does not change wherever you find yourself because it is everywhere. We need professionals who will bring development to this country through the surveying profession.”
Expressing his delight and gratitude for the visit, the Principal of the College, Mr. Oluwole Faponmle, said that, although the school has received teams from other professions, the surveyor’s visit was a rare one.
He opined that the issue of making career choices has been handled as the visit will help to broaden their understanding and give them a clear path to choosing a worthy career, adding that both the students and teachers learned a lot that will help them in their life careers.
The Assistant Head Girl of the school, Precious David, who spoke on behalf of the students, admitted to not knowing of the course, saying that the sensitization has helped her and other students to understand the importance and need to study Survey.
She expressed gratitude to the team for taking the time to enlighten them and promised to share the knowledge at home with her friends, neighbors, and others to create more awareness of the profession.
