Oldest practicing surveyor in Nigeria, Surveyor Lasisi Alli is dead.
Our correspondent learnt that Alli who marked his 99th birthday two weeks ago, died on Tuesday at his Oke Odo Ibadan residence.
Alli, a distinguished and highly respected community leader, was the founder of Ibadan Improvement Union, an indigenous sociocultural organization established in 1958.
Our correspondent gathered that Alli was a dedicated surveyor, who contributed to the growth of the profession and was renowned for high ethical standards and professional integrity.
Our correspondent reports that the Ibadan born surveyor who was born on August 16th, 1929 has been buried according to Islamic rites.
At the burial which took place at his residence in Ibadan on Tuesday were Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) Oyo State chapter, Surveyor Aderemi Kobiowu, immediate past Chairman of NIS, Surveyor Ola Shiyanbola and other members of Oyo State branch of NIS, President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Yemi Soladoye, former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, children of the deceased and other family members.
Kobiowu who spoke with journalists after the burial described Alli as a model to other surveyors.
He said, “Today, we are doing the burial of papa Alli. He was born 99 years ago. About 5 or 6 years ago, we started a lecture for him because of his roles in the institution. Baba Alli happened to be a model for all of us who are surveyors. Even when we have meetings outside the state, baba used to follow us even up to the last five years.
“When we observed this that Baba cannot go with us anymore, we introduced a lecture for him, so we do lectures for Baba every year when he is doing his birthday. Unfortunately, we could not do the birthday this year, but we all came to his house to celebrate the birthday with him. Unfortunately, God took him eighteen days after the 99 birthday”.
Kobiowu added that the next older persons to Alli in the profession are 92-year-old Surveyor who is in Enugu and another 91-year-old Surveyor who is currently in Ile-Ife.
He said, “Yes, it is true Baba is the oldest practicing Surveyor in Nigeria. He is the oldest and we thank God for that. This is because he lived a very good life. He was one time a Chairman. He is the oldest, the next person is in Enugu, the man is around 92, and we have someone who is 91, Baba Awoyele who is in Ile-Ife.”
