Members of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Oyo State chapter on Thursday gathered together in Ibadan, the state capital to celebrate the oldest practicing surveyor in the country, Surveyor Alhaji Lasisi Lasupo Ali.
Chief Ali who clocks 97 on Thursday was born on 16th August 1921 in Ibadan.
The surveyors who eulogised the celebrant at the event christened “3rd Surveyor L.L. Ali 3rd annual lecture”, a yearly program organise by NIS to mark birthdays of the celebrant were joined by Chief Niyi Akintola SAN; former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Alhaji Akin Olajide; Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Kehinde Subair and members of Pa Ali family led by Chief Abiodun Sakiru Ali to celebrate the man they all said has contributed immensely to the growth of the profession.
NIS Chairman, Surveyor Aderemi Kobiowu while speaking described Chief Ali as not only strong but dedicated surveyor who has contributed to the growth of the profession and the country at large.
Kobiowu said, “More over, Baba in his active days in the profession was strong and dedicated practitioner who always committed to institution’s programs and objectives. In practice and conduct, he had been noted for high ethical standards and professional integrity. He remains a role model to our young and incoming surveyors.
“To our father in the profession who clocks 97 years exactly today, I say a big congratulation and happy birthday to you. I welcome you all to this great lecture to celebrate a man of honour, vision, integrity, peace and professional per excellence”.
Olajide who chair the event while speaking described Chief Ali as not only a mentor but someone who has impacted positively in the lives of many Nigerians as he charged younger generation to emulate his virtues.
Olajide said “Baba Ali was a mentor to may people in Nigeria. There are many things we can learn from his life. Baba has lived a fulfil life and has served as contributor to the lives of many people.
Akintola who is the guest lecturer while delivering his paper titled, “Corruption, rule of law and democracy”, maintained that the problem of corruption in Nigeria is not only political but has touched all aspects of Nigeria’s life.
Akintola said, “The problem of corruption in Nigeria is political and this touches on every facet of our national life. It is a manifestation of the lack of political will on the part of the state and its failure to maintain law and order. It was once argued by Dukor in 2006, that where there is political corruption, the state will necessarily be immersed in corrupt practices because there will be no moral laws to uphold. One cannot agree more.
“A situation where so called elected officers are imposed, where the votes of the electorates does not count, where the electoral system stinks to high heaven there will necessarily breed embezzlement, contract inflations, diversion of funds, and outright stealing of public funds.
“There will be lack of accountability. Little wonders that the present crops of elected representatives in Nigeria are not accountable to anybody. They rationalize evil by posing the hypothetical question of “do you know how much I spent to become Governor, Senator, House of Representative member/ Local Government Chairman” as if the electorate was consulted before he mortgaged all he had worked for to a godfather to secure nomination.
Akintola added that, “The way and manner of recruitment of these personnel and the salary and emoluments attached to their offices are nothing to write home about. In fact, Nigeria is seen as an unserious country in terms of security. How do you explain a situation where Nigerian can only boast of 1 policeman to 433 Nigerians?
“The Church and Mosque that should be custodian of moral rebirth have thrown decorum to the dogs. Clergymen now celebrate corruption, election rigging and even conduct thanksgiving services for electoral rouges notwithstanding the fact that the CAN and NSCIA have condemned same. Some even place advertorial in the newspapers to congratulate election riggers. They rationalize evil by preaching fatalism and support whosoever is in government whether he got there by crook or hook. There is no national institution today that is free of filth. Our sense of value and value system has gone to the dogs”.
