ENGR (DR.) DESMOND E. EWA - A Virtue To Watch

By Obi Ekwo, Calabar

In a desperate society, sold out to mediocrity, corruption, greed, extreme competition, sick value system, cracked integrity and betrayals. In a society grappling vainly and desperately for help, for that one special spark, that one panacea to heal her sick state, to save her from an imminent nosedive into hades. A society longing for a restoration of virtue, knowing that the treasures of any nation under the watch of virtue, guarantees eternal security for her, knowing too that virtue is the only fountain from where honour springs. Such a society knows that when she finds virtue in a man, she has indeed found everything needed to rebuild her broken walls. It is to such a society that Engr. Desmond E. Ewa is emerging.

Engr. Dr. Desmond E. Ewa, like the biblical mustard seed, has spread his roots deep into the soil of virtue, keenly mastering every value required of him to stand tall, to stand strong, and, to stand untainted through these seemingly silent years. He has learnt overtime, the art of multi-tasking and absolute versatility, such that he has become a perfect combo of a mentor, a leader, a professional and an academic. Sitting on the very top of these four independent societal spheres, he seems to so easily drive them with an impeccable excellence.

A native of Bankpor Irruan in Boki Local Government Area, Engr. Dr. Desmond E. Ewa holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) and a Bachelor’s Degree both in civil engineering from the reputable polytechnic Calabar and Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) respectively, with excellent results to show for it.  So many professionals (civil engineers especially) would not want to take another step up the educational ladder. Not Dr. DEE, who has never and would never be found among the average many. He would rather stand-alone than remain like everybody else. Instead, he forged ahead, bagging a master degree in Civil Engineering, this time, specializing in Material Construction from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Not still satisfied, he also bagged a Doctor in Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the same University.

As lecturer in the Cross River University of Technology, he is one of the few indispensable tools whose immense contributions has been responsible for churning out classical graduates of civil engineering. Graduates whose successes, the world over has been nothing but resplendent. He specializes in structures, engineering survey, building construction, material and highway/ transportation engineering, etc. He is the project supervisor of countless undergraduate and postgraduate students, the chairman of departmental board, a one-time coordinator of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), and the Acting Head of Department of Civil Engineering Department, CRUTECH.  At the same time, Dr. Desmond is an adjunct lecturer in the department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabar. 

In all of the above roles, he has delivered his duties with humility, capacity and a very high degree of competency. He considers his role in the academic community a privilege as it serves him the opportunity to mentor a growing generation, imparting in them the virtue he has nurtured all his life. Trailing behind him is a string of young people - students and graduates he is not only mentoring, but carrying them along through every project.

Beyond the academic shores, Dr. Desmond E. Ewa is a Consulting Engineer. He has served as Project Engineer to various reputable consulting firms, such as STRUCT - DESIGN LTD, STATUS ASSOCIATES AND EKPE ARA & PARTNERS. He is a Director with KAIRO INFRASTRUCTURES LTD. He has been involved in a number of projects for Cross River State, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank. 

Engr. D. E. Ewa, has several publications to his name. He has published over eighteen journal papers in reputable journals within and outside the country. Has over fifteen local and international conference papers and has participated in over twenty six workshops within and beyond Nigeria.

 He is an outstanding Civil Engineer with myriads of certifications to show for it. He is a registered Member with the Council of Regulatory Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), a corporate member of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (MNSE), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Safety Engineers and an Associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered arbitrators, to mention a few.

Engr. Desmond E. Ewa is all of the above and more, yet he maintains a calm, humble and humane disposition. He is a core lover of God, a pastor of his flock a sweet endearing husband and an amazing father. He loves to be a father, not only of his wonderful kids, but of every purpose driven young person under his watch. He is a complete man, indeed, a perfect epitome of virtue in a generation of eroded values.
..Engr. Michael N. Enu(MNSE)