NICE INAUGURATES ENGR. V.C EZUGU,FNSE,FNICE,M.ASCE,KSM AS ITS 18TH NATIONAL CHAIRMAN The day the 21st of January, 2023 will not be forgotten in a hurry in the annex of the history of the Institution as Members, Shakeholders and friends of the Institution gathered from all walks of life in the Oil City of Port Harcourt for the Inauguration of Engr. Virgilus Chukwudi Ezugu,FNSE,FNICE,MASCE as the 18th National Chairman of the Institution, The Event which took place at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State was Chaired by The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, who was unavoidably absence and was ably represented by Engr. Bemigho Ofoyeno,FNSE,FNICE -NSE Vice President representing South-South, the event also witnessed in attendance the Guests of honour, the President of the COREN , Engr. A. A RabiU,FNSE,F.ASCE,FAENG, Engr. Dr. Mrs. Aishatu A. Umar,FNSE,FNICE- the African Continental Representative at World Council of Civil Engineers, Engr. Chief (Dr) I.I Akuvue,FNSE,FNICE- The Chairman G.G.I Group, the Guest Speaker, Engr. Enmanuel Audu Ohwavborua,FNSE- former Ag. MD/CEO, Niger Delta Development Commission, The Royal Father of the day Igwe Mark Makata of Umundu Udenu L.G.A of Enugu State, Past National Chairmen, NSE and NICE Excos and Council Members and Senior Members, Government Officials and Captains of the Industry. In his inaugural speech the National Chairman Engr. V.C Ezugu,FNSE,FNICE expressed his gratitude to everyone present at the event for attending amid the constraints of time and he also appreciated all the Members and stakeholders, for placing the trust of leading of the Institution on him. He paid great tribute to the founding fathers and all the Past National Chairmen of the Institution for all their efforts, sacrifices and contributions towards the growth and developments of the Institution. He noted that the leadership trust bestowed on him will not be taken granted. The National Chairman further outlined a ‘’FOUR CARDINAL THRUST” that will steer his leadership of the Institution for better repositioning and development which includes; 1. Growth of the Institution 2. Continued Professional Development and Welfare of Members 3. Collaboration with Relevant Organizations 4. Physical Development. He stated of his commitment to the creation of more Chapters of the institution in the states where it is not yet present and also mobilize the Institution to support Government at all levels in bridging the gap of the nation's infrastructural deficit and issues. He also promised to also work towards the professional growth and capacity training of members to build good professional practice and ethics in other to stay upgraded with recent technological advancements and innovations of the profession. In addition, The National Chairman also pledged to focus on numerical expansion of Members. He noted that he will competent and accountable throughout his tenure of office. In his lecture during the Inauguration which was themed "Challenges of Civil infrastructure Development In Nigeria Infrastructural Development in Nigeria"; The Niger Delta experience," the Guest Speaker Engr. Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua (PhD), stressed that the country is experiencing infrastructure problems. Using Niger Delta as a case study, he noted that one of the challenges of infrastructure in the region ranges from high implementation costs of project due to the topography of the region to poor project maintenance. According to him, Civil Engineers must address the issues of difficult topography and terrain during design of building to suit topographical difficulties. In his own remarks the Chairman of the Occasion and the President of NSE Engr Tasiu-Saad Gidari-Wudil,FNSE who was represented by Engr. Ofoeyeno Bemigho, encouraged the new chairman to work closely with the members of the Institution to produce Codes and standards for the practice of Civil Engineering in the Country and also improve the professional development of NICE Members, he noted that NSE is always open for collaborations at all times. Earlier in his welcome address the outgoing Chairman of NICE, Engr Dr. Jang C. Tanko,FNSE,FNICE thanked every member of the Institution for the opportunity to serve as their National Chairman. He appreciated everyone that served with him for their contribution. He further listed the successes of his administration that have helped move the Institution forward and promised to be readily available at any given time his assistance will be needed.