Toyyibat Qasim & Firdaus Obiremi
The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Ogun State Chapter, will honour former chairmen and other distinguished professionals as part of activities marking its 40th anniversary.
The institute’s chairman, Town Planner Olusola Adetayo Odukoya, FNITP, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference at the chapter’s centre in Ogun State.
Odukoya said the awards were designed to recognise the sacrifices, dedication and contributions of past leaders and other professionals who laid the foundation for the growth of town planning in the state.
He noted that the institute’s 40-year journey reflected the commitment of successive generations of practitioners who had worked to strengthen the profession and improve the built environment.
The institute’s chairman, Town Planner Olusola Adetayo Odukoya, FNITP, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference at the chapter’s centre in Ogun State.
Odukoya said the awards were designed to recognise the sacrifices, dedication and contributions of past leaders and other professionals who laid the foundation for the growth of town planning in the state.
He noted that the institute’s 40-year journey reflected the commitment of successive generations of practitioners who had worked to strengthen the profession and improve the built environment.
According to him, the achievements recorded over the years would not have been possible without the vision and sacrifices of the founding members and past leaders.
“The leaders have actually sacrificed a lot to bring us to where we are today. If they had not started 40 years ago, we would not be celebrating anything now,” he said.
The chairman added that the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate the institute’s achievements while encouraging younger professionals to sustain its legacy and introduce innovations that would advance the profession over the next four decades.
He noted that the institute’s 40-year journey reflected the commitment of successive generations of practitioners who had worked to strengthen the profession and improve the built environment.
According to him, the achievements recorded over the years would not have been possible without the vision and sacrifices of the founding members and past leaders.
“The leaders have actually sacrificed a lot to bring us to where we are today. If they had not started 40 years ago, we would not be celebrating anything now,” he said.
The chairman added that the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate the institute’s achievements while encouraging younger professionals to sustain its legacy and introduce innovations that would advance the profession over the next four decades.
He also reflected on developments in Ogun State over the past 21 years, attributing some of the improvements in the built environment to the contributions of past town planning leaders and their collaboration with the government.
Odukoya said some members of the institute had attained prominent positions in the public service, including permanent secretary and head of service, adding that their contributions had helped advance the profession.
He stressed the need for younger town planners to learn from the experiences of their predecessors and build on the foundation they had laid.
Odukoya disclosed that Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, would chair the main anniversary celebration scheduled for 10am on Thursday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town Planner Olatunji Olusoga Odunlami, is expected to host the event, which will also attract the National President of the institute and other dignitaries from within and outside the state.
The chairman said activities marking the anniversary had commenced with a radio programme on Splash FM, followed by the press conference and sporting activities for members.
He added that a health examination had also been scheduled to take place at the institute’s centre.
Odukoya invited professionals in the built environment and other stakeholders to participate in the celebration and reflect on the institute’s contributions to physical planning and development in Ogun State.
Ogun introduces additional planning regulations
Speaking on physical planning in the state, Odukoya said the government had introduced four additional planning regulations and developed a building code to strengthen the management of physical development.
He explained that Ogun State previously operated under its 2005 planning law before the introduction of the additional regulations.
He attributed the development to collaboration between town planners and the state government, stressing that effective implementation of planning standards was essential to creating a healthier and more liveable environment.
The NITP chairman identified construction along waterways, encroachment on floodplains and indiscriminate waste disposal as factors contributing to flooding in parts of the state.
He said planning regulations prescribed a setback of 100 metres from the Ogun River and a minimum of 12 metres from other seasonal or existing streams.
Odukoya urged residents to comply with the requirements, avoid obstructing natural waterways and stop dumping refuse into drainage channels.
He explained that observing the prescribed setbacks and keeping drains clear would allow water to flow freely and help reduce flooding risks.
AI will support, not replace, town planners
On the use of artificial intelligence, Odukoya described the technology as a welcome development that could improve planning practice.
He, however, maintained that AI would not replace the expertise and creativity of human professionals.
“We welcome this innovation to make planning more robust, but it will not be AI that will be planning for us. It is our young planners of today that this legacy is being handed over to, that will design the future of the environment,” he said.
Odukoya further disclosed that the institute had introduced measures to curb quackery and ensure that only qualified and registered professionals practised town planning.
He said newly registered professionals also needed to gain practical experience under established practitioners to strengthen their competence.
The chairman described the relationship among town planners in government service, academics and private consultants as cordial, noting that cooperation among the groups remained vital to professional development.
He reiterated that the 40th anniversary was not only an occasion to celebrate past achievements but also an opportunity to preserve the institute’s legacy and prepare the next generation of town planners to shape the future of Ogun State’s built environment.
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