Accolades as town planners, others honour Kadiri at 70

It was a celebration of professional accomplishments in Lagos last week when friends, well wishers and professional town planners gathered to honour Mr. Waheed Kadiri, a past President of the Nigerian Institute of Town planners (NITP) and former Chairman, African Planning Association (APA), who turned 70 years.

The event was a 70th Birthday Anniversary Dialogue organised by Waheed Kadiri at 70 Birthday group, led by Moses Ogunleye. A major highlight of the event is a lecture by the NITP President, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde on “Ethics in Professional Practice: The Future of Town Planning.”

Kadiri is a renowned town planner that has continued to impact positively to the built environment profession. He had also taken part in the accreditation of town planning programmes and development of curriculum by both the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) and Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC). He had edited five books in the area urban, regional and transportation planning.

He is the principal partner of Kadiri Associates Limited, a consulting firm and reputable to be the foremost campus planning outfit in Nigeria. Kadiri is currently chairman, Board of Trustees, Association of Town Planning consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON).

For the President of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), who was represented by the President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Kunle Awobodu, the celebrant is a man of discipline, impeccable character and integrity, whose legacy cuts across the professions.

ATOPCON President, Niyi Odetoye, acknowledged his commitment to uplifting town planning practice in Nigeria. “The impact he has made towards its growth and enhancement is immeasurable.”

The President, Town Planners Registration Council (TOPREC), Isyaku Kura, thanked Kadiri for using the occasion to bring together the planning family to engage in discussion and contributing to the growth of the planning practice.

He said: “Good ethics is a fundamental requirement of any profession. It is an integral to the success of any practice in view of its daunting challenges.”

The Lagos State Commissioner for Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, said “many town planning professionals have passed through his tutorship. He is a professional in all remification, whose experience and expertise transcend the town to the gown.”