By Obeten Godfrey
The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Cross River State Chapter, has inaugurated its 5th Chairman and Executive Committee to lead the Institution in advancing the civil engineering profession within the state.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place Saturday in Calabar, Cross River State, brought together key stakeholders in the engineering sector, government officials, and distinguished fellows of the Institution.
Engr. Nicholas Otu, the newly inaugurated Chairman, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him and his team. He pledged to uphold the values of the Institution while working towards innovative policies that will enhance the professional development of civil engineers in Cross River State.
“We are deeply honored by the responsibility entrusted to us by our colleagues at the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers in Cross River State. For the first time in history of NICE, we are actually creating an impact in terms of collaborative advocacy. You can see the likes of the MDAs that have come to grace this occasion, this tells you that the government is ready to work with us and we are ready to present to government free oversight supervision for all their projects,” he stated.
Otu said the Institution under his leadership will focus on strengthening professional ethics, capacity building, and fostering collaborations that will drive infrastructural development in Cross River State and beyond.
“We are ready to collaborate with the government to drive sustainable development in the state,” he said.
National President of the Institution, Engr. Ajanaku Adetokumbo, represented by the former National Chairman, Engr. Andem Ekpo-Bassey, described the inauguration as a new dawn for civil engineers in Cross River State. He expressed confidence on the new executive committee and urged them to build on the achievements of the previous leadership by strengthening partnerships and stakeholder engagement for the overall good of the Institution and the state at large.
“The inauguration of this new executive committee signifies a fresh chapter for civil engineers in Cross River State, one that promises growth, professionalism, and stronger collaborative advocacy for industry standards.
“The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers is known for excellence in promoting engineering best practices, upholding ethical standards, and fostering innovation to drive sustainable infrastructure development across the nation. I urge the new leadership of NICE in Cross River State to continue to build on the professional excellence in this field,” he stated.
The event was graced by notable personalities, including Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, former Head of Service of the Federation; Hon. Moses Osogi, Cross River State Commissioner for Environment; Engr. Joseph Alaga, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Cross River State; Engr. Dr Ndifon Agbiji, National EXCO member NSE; Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Public Utilities; Engr. Dr Nkpa Ogarekpe, Head of Department of Civil Engineering in the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), and a host of fellows of the Institution.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of awards, induction of new members into the Institution, as well as a public lecture with the theme: Collaborative Advocacy: A Safeguard Strategy Against Building And Infrastructure Collapse in Nigeria.
Below is the newly inaugurated Executive Committee Members:
Engr. Nicholas Otu – Chairman
Engr. Patrick Inyang – Vice Chairman
Engr. Joseph Liwhuliwhe – General Secretary
Engr. George Abang – Financial Secretary
Engr. Kasana Osam – Assistant Secretary
Engr. Michael Ekesi – Technical Secretary
Rita Obin-Asuquo – Treasurer
Engr. Gabriel Ukoh – Publicity Secretary
Engr. Ambrose Abeng – Auditor
Engr. Emmanuel Agbor – Provost
Engr. Bassey Arikpo – Ex-Officio 1
Engr. Jerome Egbe – Ex-Officio 2
