By Godspower Eguasa
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has eulogized his late friend and Edo-born icon, Surveyor Daniel Aiyanyo Omoigui, describing him as a genius whose service to humanity has contributed immensely to the development of the Nigerian economy.
Obaseki made the remark during the funeral service held in honour of the deceased, on Thursday 5th January 2023, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City, while accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., The Chairman, Board of Directors, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, and other dignitaries.
The Governor while commending the notable achievements of the Late Surveyor General, promised to name recently completed buildings of the Edo Geographical Information Service (EDOGIS) and the Department of Survey and Geoinformatics of the Edo Polytechnic Usen, which is currently being rehabilitated to become School of Survey and Geoinformatics, after the deceased.
According to Obaseki, “When we came in here, I had the opportunity to go through the autobiography in the program, and for those of you who have the program, we may go through a few of the paragraphs to see why it is so apt having this friend, Surveyor Omoigui as a genius.
“I will refer you to page 1, the last line, where Surveyor Daniel Omoigui was described as one who was very active in professional activities and contributed to the development of the surveyor profession in Nigeria. The next paragraph talked about him acting in various capacities both internationally and nationally, federal and state levels, and as members of several bodies and boards. And then the next paragraph talked about him as Surveyor General of the Federation and Director of the Federal Service Department of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing”.
Obaseki continued: “Surveyor Daniel Omoigui prepared a memorandum, it was presented to the President; Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and to the Federal Executive Council, for a 5-year program, for the demarcation, survey and mapping of Nigeria’s international and inter-state boundaries. This work is so significant and it is the basis for our existence and demarcation as a State in Nigeria today.
“Surveyor Daniel Omoigui spearheaded the establishment of the National Boundary Commission, National Institute for the Standardization of geographic names for the whole country, Surveyors’ Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON) which replaces the Surveyor’s Licensing Board, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the National Advisory Council on Surveying and Mapping, and the Offices of the Federal Surveys in all the States of the Federation. You will agree with me that he was truly an Edo icon and a Nigeria icon.
“So, I am here today on behalf of the Government and the people of Edo State to say thank you Sir, and to thank the Omoigui family for giving us a genius in the person of Surveyor Daniel Aiyanyo Omoigui. The only token we can give back is to always remember him, and so, we have decided that the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) buildings, the newest buildings of Edo State Government will be named: The Daniel Omoigui GIS Buildings.
“We have also decided to upgrade the Department of Survey and Geoinformatics at the Edo Polytechnic Usen, to a School of Survey and Geoinformatics. It will now be called the Daniel Omoigui School of Survey and Geoinformatics”.
