Julius Berger Nigeria’s Director, Corporate Development, Mr. Tobias Meletschus receiving the NIQS Fellowship award certificate on behalf of the Managing Director, Engr. Lars Richter from the Institute’s President, QS Obafemi Oluwole Onashile at the event while the Chairman of the NIQS Fellows Forum, QS Anthony Ndah looks on.
Managing Director of frontline construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter was weekend awarded the Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, FNIQS. He was represented by the company’s Director of Corporate Development, Mr. Tobias Meletschus. The Western Regional Manager of the company in Lagos, Mr. Alexander Bauer also bagged the NIQS Fellowship at the same event.
A respected elder of the Institute and former Governor of Bauchi state and a fellow of the NIQS, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu poured encomiums on Julius Berger Nigeria PLC which he described as highly professional and central to the country’s infrastructural development in the roads sector.
Mu’azu who was Chairman of the Investiture ceremony held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos in his welcome address recalled his encounter with Julius Berger when he was the Governor of Bauchi state thus:
“I am full of gratitude to the Institute, our Institute, the Institute I belong to for this unique event. I congratulate all the recipients of the NIQS Fellowship, especially the MDs and CEOs of the construction companies for their awards which they rightly deserve. I recall a case in point to underline what I mean. When I was Governor of Bauchi State, I wanted to construct good roads for the State. I stressed myself and drove all the way to Abuja to Julius Berger to see the then MD of the company. I think he was Mr. Marks (who is presently the Vice Chairman of Julius Berger). I got there and filled the visitor’s form and waited to see him. And when we eventually met in his office, I introduced myself and told him I wanted good roads for Bauchi. He was very delighted, and professionally so. I am delighted to say that Julius Berger did a very great job in Bauchi. They should and must continue their good works as they remain central to road infrastructural development in this country. Other construction companies in this country should be doing same.”
For the NIQS President, QS Obafemi Oluwole Onashile, he said Investiture events are strategies designed to expand the coast of the NIQS as “the success of contractors and their companies is always in the interest of the NIQS.” He added that the status of the awardees at the event is a statement being deliberately made by the Institute to show that they are major players in that direction. He further explained that the readiness of Julius Berger, and others to share in the vision of the NIQS in the areas of employment and training of Quantity Surveyors is commendable. According to the President of the NIQS, “…They have always discussed with us on how to improve efficiency in our professional practice. They are ready to collaborate with us in these areas. These among others informed their respective selection for the award of our NIQS Fellowship to them “
Chairman of the NIQS Fellows Forum, QS Anthony Ndah added his voice to the outpouring of encomiums on Julius Berger Nigeria. In his words, “Julius Berger’s constant contribution to development and support for NIQS remains insurmountable,”, adding that “Fellowship of the Institute is the highest gratitude we have for all who identify with the aspirations of the NIQS.”
Other Fellowship awardees at the NIQS Investiture ceremony included the CEO/Managing Director of Cappa and D’Alberto PLC, Mr Giovanni Mello Grand and the Group Managing Director of ITB Nigeria. Also, no fewer than 50 other members of the Institute were awarded the NIQS Fellowship at the event.
The NIQS Fellowship Investiture ceremony was attended by the Institute’s members across the country. It was preceded by the NIQS 2019 Annual General Meeting held at same venue.
