Builders admit 30 new fellows

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) College of Fellows has admitted 30 new members into its fellowship cadre.

Key players in the built industry graced the investiture and dinner ceremony, which took place at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel in Abuja. It also saw the swearing-in of a new chairman of the college, Ehikioya Anegbe.

Speaking on the occasion, the special guest of honour, who was also decorated a fellow, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, represented by Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), said the NIOB remains a professional body to be reckoned with among other bodies, noting that it has continued to uphold standard.

He also charged the leadership of the college of fellows and the entire NIOB members to continue to intervene and fight against quackery, which is said to be responsible for incessant building collapses in Nigeria.

In his address, Ehikioya noted that the professional builders have a serious duty to play in assisting the executive to tackle the activities of quacks, which is responsible for several building collapse in the country.

He lamented that the building profession is the most abused and that the body must ensure that it recovers its misapplied mandate. 

“The profession of building is the most abused profession in Nigeria. Other professionals such as lawyers and accountants have sanctions for quackery that is enforceable at law courts.

“Unfortunately, building profession has become a profession for all comers. Time has come for us to rise to enforce the provisions of enacted laws and approach the Court of laws for pronouncement while pressurizing the National Assembly to pass the National Building Code Act. 

“Let it be known that it is only the approved registered professional builders that can stop this assault on our revered profession and safe the lives of innocent Nigerians who are usual victims of avoidable building collapse problem” Ehikioya said.