Olomola assumes NITP presidency, adopts 7-point agenda

NIGERIAN foremost urban planner, Dr. Femi Olomola, has been entrusted with the leadership of the town planning profession, following his investiture last week, as the 21st President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) and inauguration of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

  The event held at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Lagos attracted friend and well –wishers, including counterparts in the built – environment profession and NITP members. Dignitaries that attended includes Presidents, Town Planners Registration Council (TOPREC), Prof. Layi Egunjobi, Presiddent, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) and Governor Babatunde Fashola, represented by the Commissioner, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde.

   Egunjobi charged the new president to exhibit educational and professional training acquired over the years for effective and purposeful leadership to advance the course of the profession. “ I urged you all to remain focused and let discipline and many of your good moral conduct be your watchword, you are expected to conduct yourself with decorum and high sense of discipline as ambassadors of the institute.”

    Olomola used the occasion to unveil his seven-point

agenda for the body. He plans to take stock of the near zero implementation of the Nigerian urban and regional planning in states and federal capital territory.

   Other goals are to promote national security and reducing fraud through land use planning report; improving asset base of the institute; improving current operational modalities and sustaining human capital development.

  The committee chaired by the Badejo Hakeem Olatunji was set on its task by the National President, Dr. Femi Olomola, last week in Lagos. 

Other members of the committee include, Mrs. Claudius Akinyemi, Secretary, Michael Simire, Bisi Adedire, Oyebanji Toba James, Hakeem Roy-Larindes and Dr. Adewale Alade.

  Olomola said, the committee is being set up as part of the seven point agenda of the new National Executive Committee (NEC) for the creation, evolution of an omnibus and multi-use land use planning report, which will address pressing national issues such as security and fraud in homeownership.

  The proposed report is expected to be exclusively prepared by registered town planners, thereby creating jobs for members of the profession. “Between us and the next generation there is a contract. It is our sacred duty to create the enabling environment to make the young/ upcoming ones be convinced that the moment you genuinely struggle/work hard and get certificate of registration with NITP/ Town Planners Registration Council  (TOPREC), you can nod your head in fulfillment that it is not only a passport to good living but also a fortune, “ he said.

  He explained that the art, science and profession of town planning principally resolves around ensuring the orderly arrangement and use of land having absolute regard to overriding public interest.

  According to him, the report will on approval by the NEC and council of the institute will accompany building plan approvals/ permits, issuance of certificate of occupancy, opening of accounts of corporate accounts with banks and incorporation/ registration of new companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

  Olomola disclosed that the concept is novel and calls for creativity, adding that the institute intends to dialogue with relevant authorities and organisations on the need to adopt the document in its transactions. Among the terms of reference of the committee is to prepare a thorough land use analysis survey, followed with a map with identified land uses coded in the NITP approved professional colours and a 15- page report.

  NITP president who said that the committee is making history, charged its members to take their job seriously. The committee began its first stakeholders dialogue session last week, with members of Association of Town Planners Consultants (ATOPCON), public, private sector practitioners and experts from the academia.