EMBRACE DIGITAL EVOLUTION, AVOID DISHONEST LAND DEMARCATION , UNIZIK VC TELLS EASTERN SURVEYORS
At Eastern Surveyors Forum/ AGM, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor Calls for Geospatial Innovation and Sustainable Development in South-East
The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Professor Bond Ugochukwu Stanley Anyaehie, has urged professional surveyors in the South-East to embrace new geospatial technologies, work closely with government and support the sustainable development of the region.
The Vice-Chancellor made this call as a Guest Speaker during the 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Eastern Surveyors Forum and the Surv. S.G. Wokemba Memorial Lecture 2026.
The event was held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Hollywood Garden and Event Centre, Agu-Awka, along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, Awka, Anambra State.
The theme of the 2026 event was “Geospatial Economics and Sustainable Regional Growth in South-Eastern Nigeria.” The event brought together professionals and other stakeholders in the surveying industry to discuss how geospatial technology can support economic growth and development in the South-East.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Alex Asigbo, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Anyaehie welcomed the participants and praised the contributions of surveyors over the years. He noted that their professional work has played an important role in shaping society and supporting national development.
He explained that accurate location information is very important in surveying. According to him, it helps in proper land management, road and infrastructure development, environmental protection and effective town planning.
The Vice-Chancellor also encouraged surveyors to help solve environmental problems, especially gully erosion, which continue to affect many communities and damage infrastructure across the South-East.
He called on members of the Forum to work with state governments and other relevant organisations to find lasting solutions to these problems and support the development of the region.
Speaking on the theme of the lecture, Professor Anyaehie identified some important areas where geospatial technology could promote economic growth. These include better land management, road and infrastructure development, improved connections between communities, modern farming methods and stronger partnerships between universities and industries. He said professional bodies like the Eastern Surveyors Forum must partner with universities to drive policy, research and technical innovation.
He explained that using geospatial technology alongside proper economic planning would help the South-East make better use of its resources, improve development and create more opportunities for wealth creation.
The Vice-Chancellor also urged the Eastern Surveyors Forum to maintain high professional standards by supporting good policies, adopting modern technology and following professional ethics.
“The modern surveyor must be a data scientist, a spatial analyst and economic advisor. Continuous professional development is non-negotiable. You must uphold professional ethics, protect the integrity of your profession by upholding strict standards against quackery, dishonest land demarcation and substandard practice”
He stressed that universities and industries must work together to turn research and new ideas into practical solutions that will address the development needs of the South-East.
According to him, the development of a prosperous South-East requires hard work, proper planning and cooperation among the states in the region. He added that the future of the region would depend greatly on the accuracy of surveyors' work, the quality of their analysis and their ability to plan ahead.
Reflecting on the life and contributions of Surv. S.G. Wokemba, Professor Anyaehie encouraged participants to learn from his legacy and work towards building a region where technology supports good planning, land is used to create lasting wealth and future generations inherit a well-planned and prosperous homeland.
He concluded by wishing the Eastern Surveyors Forum a successful AGM and expressing hope that the memorial lecture would be useful and informative.
“The journey towards a prosperous, resilient, and economically integrated southeast relies on the precision of your measurements, the depth of your analysis, and the foresight of your collective planning” he stated.
The event provided an opportunity for surveyors and other stakeholders to discuss the importance of geospatial technology in promoting economic growth, protecting the environment and supporting sustainable development across the South-East.
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