It was a gathering of ‘who is who’ in the town planning profession in Nigeria as they converged on Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital in commemoration of the 10th Waheed Kadiri Lecture series annually hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Ogun State Chapter (NITP).
On focus this year was: “Town Planners, Sustainable Development and Nation Building”
This year’s guest lecturer was Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN) and the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Ilorin whose presentation was a mix bag of academic with a torch of meeting the needs of the town and the wig.
According to the erudite scholar and legal luminary it was time town planners got involved in town planning in Nigeria and not allowed activities in the field to be dictated by politicians and non- professionals.
Professor Egbewole while noting that town planning is all encompassing for sustainable development, the University don remarked that town planning ought to be from bottom to top, not from top to bottom.
He advised NITP members to embrace technology for refined outputs and stressed the need for their recognition and involvement in decision-making.
The University of Ilorin Vice-Chancellor also stated that political participation is crucial for influencing policies in the sector, citing the contribution of Town Planner Olatunji O. Odunlami, the Ogun State current Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development to regulations in the state.
He added that there was need for collaboration with the Media, with strategic Public Relations and emphasised on continuous professional development for members.
He concluded that the institute stands at the forefront of sustainable development in Nigeria and therefore if must persist in its efforts to change public perception, advocate for best practices and actively contribute to policy formulation.
Earlier, the National President of NITP, Town Planner Nathaniel Atebije and the Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town Planner Olatunji Odunlami spoke glowingly of the immense contributions of Town Planner Waheed kadiri to the development of the profession both in Nigeria and outside the shores of the country.
In his remarks, Dr. Waheed Kadiri in whom the lecture series were being organised annually, expressed his deep appreciation to his colleagues for keeping the spirit of the lecture alive.
He urged his colleagues to sustain the ethics of the profession and ensure the upscaling the standard of practice to be in tandem with what obtains internationally.
A cake to commemorate his 73rd birthday was later cut by Dr. Kadiri in conjunction with his Wife, joined by eminent dignitaries at the event.
The colourful event ended on a delightful note with professionals taking home one lesson or another to add bite to what they have learned before to add pep to their practice.
