WARRI/Nigeria: The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, held its 13th Annual General Assembly on February 12, 2026, at the secretariat of the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors in Effurun, with member organisations applauding the outgoing leadership for what they described as years of committed service and institutional growth.
Goodwill messages poured in from several professional bodies all commending the immediate past executives for their dedication to advancing professionalism, strengthening inter-professional collaboration and sustaining the association’s relevance in the state.
At the assembly, a new executive council was elected to pilot the affairs of the association, with ESV (Rev) Lewis Afolabi emerging as Chairman, alongside Dr. Bini Nataniel as Vice Chairman and Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, Mnipr as Secretary. Other officers elected include Amb. Roseline Egbo as Financial Secretary, Engr. Ufuoma Eki as Treasurer, Dr. Maxwell Oyimba as Publicity Secretary, Engr. (Mrs.) Felicia Avwenaghagha as Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Grace Olorunyomi as Auditor and Barr. James Irogbo as Legal Adviser, while Surv. Victor Ezie and Mr. Felix Erure serve as Ex-Officio members. Engr. Prof. James Asalor and Tpl. Paul Akporowho were named advisers.
In his acceptance remarks shortly after his decoration, Afolabi pledged that the new leadership would intensify efforts to eliminate quackery in professional practice, stressing that only certified professionals should be entrusted with specialized assignments. He assured members that the association would deepen engagement with government and the public to promote awareness of professional standards and competencies. “The association will go to greater heights. Our interface with government and the public will be stronger. The public must know who qualified professionals are,” he said.
The new chairman also paid tribute to the founding fathers and past leaders of the body, promising to build on their vision, while presenting an Award of Excellence to his predecessor, Surv. Victor Ezie, whom he described as a silent achiever and exemplary leader whose tenure strengthened the chapter’s institutional standing.
Earlier, Ezie highlighted key accomplishments of his administration, including sustained media advocacy and the chapter’s contribution to the development of the Delta State Physical Planning and Urban Renewal Law 2024. He also noted the revival of the association’s flagship football tournament after four years and the introduction of memorial trophies in honour of late Surv. Chief Francis Overare and Chief Enoch Ogbo, expressing satisfaction that professional bodies such as NBA and NITP had rejoined the association.
Awards and certificates of appreciation were presented to deserving organisations and individuals, while delegates from multiple professional institutes across the state attended the gathering, underscoring what stakeholders described as renewed unity within the professional community.
