TO enthrone the age-long values, professionals under the aegis the Association of Professional bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Lagos Chapter has called for upholding ethical standards in the course of discharging their professional duties.
The need to keep ethical standards is becoming necessary, as values are waning within the professionals’ circle and the nation at large.

Pressed decline of ethics and values in our national life, APBN gathered in Lagos last week to discuss the way forward.
The week-long event, that had as its theme: “Business without Boarders; taking advantage of International Collaborations”, took place at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), had in attendance, professionals from various sector, including public office holders, academics and others.

The group regrets that a survey on major projects in Nigeria, including Lagos state reveals that foreigners undertake a substantial number of huge projects. Similarly, most Nigerians prefer taking their loved ones abroad for either medical services, or for professional trainings.

In his address, the Chairman of Lagos Chapter of the association, Dr. Bolarinde Patuola-Ajayi, whose observations centered essentially on the activities in real estate practitioners, noted that professionals are considered a pillar of the economy, thus, there can never be any significant development without the physical and intellectual contribution of professionals.

According to Patunola-Ajayi, in recent years, there have been continuous upsurge of quacks into various professions in the state and to a large extent, their activities have continued to hollow the image of qualified and competent professionals.

The collapse of building, dispute in lands, fraudulent act of the so-called ‘‘Omo-Onile,” (Land speculators), poor planning of layouts in the state, problems associated with land title /documentation and other officials’ involvement are some of the problems that are confronting professionals in built environment’, he said, adding that quackery is also manifesting in other professions, where there are drug hawkers, fake doctors just to mention but few.

Besides, he made mention of lack of ethics and values in the course of project delivery by some practitioners, a situation that is eroding public confidence in their activities.

These among others have adversely influenced both government and entrepreneur’s decision to seek solace in foreign professionals.

Regrettably, a survey on major projects in Nigeria, including Lagos state reveals that a substantial number of these huge projects are undertaken by foreigners. Similarly, most Nigerians prefer taking their loved ones abroad for either medical services or for professional trainings.
Professionals in the country must thereby devise a means of forestalling these before the situation deteriorates further.

I have no doubt in the Nigerian Professionals, hence, we must not allow the tyranny of ignorance and auditory hallucination of the quacks and other impediments to dictate the tune of our profession. Although, we still have a long way to go, and only through a joint effort will we be able to reach our fundamental goals”, he counseled, adding that the week long programme will contain series of educative programmes that will be of great benefit to all members and the entire people in the state.

In his address, the immediate past Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Lagos State, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, a town planner, spoke more on ethics and values as a hallmark of professional success.

Urging professionals to place integrity over pecuniary consideration, Ayinde said those who wanted to succeed in their respective professionals could not afford to be dubious.

When I was in office as the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban development, I made it a matter of principle that engineering design was produced before an approval was approved. Although, some people believe that we are unnecessarily strict, but that is the best way to save our people from untimely death, occasioned by project failure or building collapse”.

The Chairman of the occasion, Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni, who is the current Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, also assured that change in government in Lagos will not affect the development plan put in place by the immediate past administration.
According to him, “the 2012-2015 Lagos State development Plan is there to guide the new government, whether in the redevelopment of Central Business District (CBD), completion of Mile 12-Ikorodu road expansion of Mile 2 Badagry projects and others, the plan is there as a compass”.
Other discussant at the event was Mr. Michael E. Okeke, the Managing Partner, Sun Oriala and Company, an estate management firm.