The President, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Architect Sonny Echono is charging architects in their prime role of providing creative solutions to evolving challenges, the need to adopt proper approaches and trends that will shape the built environment around the world.
Architect Echono represented by architect Mba Aja gave the charge during the Architects forum 2021 held Wonder land event centre Umuahia on the theme,” Towards a Better Urban Future: How to Build Well”.
He pointed out that, with the advent of covid 19, public spaces have become more necessary than ever, adding that the situation requires stronger government interventions, Architectural and urban planning/design measures that ensure that adequate open and public spaces are provided at the city and homestead levels across the nation.
To tackle these problems in the public arena and attract the critical attention necessary for sustainable action, Architect Echono said the Nigeria institute of architects has instituted annual awards. He stated that the award will recognize and applaud persons and corporate entities that are making positive contributions to addressing these urgent and emerging issues.
Abia state chairman, Nigeria institute of architects, Architect Anagha Ndukwo Anagha says building development remains the pivot upon which other built environment activities revolves.
Architect Anagha noted that town planning activities evolves as a direct consequences of the need to build well, in order to achieve an orderly urban environment that does not implode itself.
Arc Anagha
According to Anagha, building well is therefore, the fulcrum for achieving a better urban Future, making this year’s theme very germane. He pointed out that one of the greatest challenges to building well in this clime is the habit of conspiratorial neglect of professionals in handling building development schemes.
Architect Anagha also decried the alarming rate of Quack practices in the industry both in the private and public sector, thus resulting into incessant building collapse and an avalanche of failed buildings, which he noted that is more dangerous, because it is a silent killer that very often remains unnoticed by its prospective victims the building owner or occupants and users.
The keynote speaker and chief medical director, federal medical center Umuahia, Professor Azubike Onyebuchi posited that the theme, “Towards a better Urban Future” is a wake up call to all and Sundry especially the Policy Makers and the indolent in the Building industry.
According to Professor Azubike, Nigeria has limited planning framework that could have strategically address spatial expansions. Therefore, he noted that for better Urban Future, planning should resurrect and must be accompanied by sustainable concept.
Professor Azubike
He stressed that the role of the Architect and his team particularly other professional bodies are required in the realization of sustainable development goals which is the answer to urban future.
Chairman of the occasion, Architect Innocent Eneogwe promised that Architects in Abia and Nigeria would continue to make the practice of Architecture great.
On their goodwill messages, former President, Nigeria Institute of town planners, TPL Lekwa Ezuta said the architect forum is an appreciable gathering that would help point out errors and how to ameliorate them.
He emphasized that for professionals to build well, all the seven professionals must be allowed to play their role.
Ezuta pointed out that each of the seven professional bodies should be allowed to take their part to minimize building collapse and encouraged to come together and give their best.
TPL Ezuta
The attorney general and commissioner for justice Abia state, Barrister Uche Ihediwa represented by Barrister Nene Ajike disclosed that good buildings contribute to the beauty of the society, and requires hard work from government and practitioners.
The vice chancellor of ABSU, Professor Onyemachi Ogbulu represented by Architect Professor O.E Azubuine said it is his desire to make department of architecture a paradise for architects and expressed his desire to move the profession forward. He promised that ABSU will not relent in producing quality architects.
Participants
Meanwhile, the vice chancellor of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe was represented, just as other personalities presented lectures in various topics.
