The Guardian wins 2021 architecture media award

• As Lawan, others seek professionals’ involvement in projects

Abuja Bureau Chief, Dr. Bridget Onochie receiving Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) Media Award for outstanding reportage of real estate sector on behalf of The Guardian at the yearly architecture award and fellowship investiture from NIA past president, Jimoh Faworaja. (Story on page 29)

The organisation won the 2021 Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) Media Award for outstanding reportage of activities, at the yearly architecture award and fellowship investiture last week in Abuja.

The award is coming on the heels of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) award that also reinforced The Guardian’s position as the number one newspaper in coverage of the sector.

Specifically, it was a night of events for various stakeholders, who the institute said has contributed to the development of the sector.

Other recipients of the awards include Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum and NIESV president, Sir Emmanuel Wike.

The event attracted professional engineers, estate surveyors, prominent individuals and corporate players.

Speaking at the event, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, said architecture is necessary for the improvement and development of the physical environment.

According to him, “we want to see more participation of Nigerian professionals, as we continue to build modern Nigeria. We must make it mandatory for certain procedures and processes to be respected and obeyed.

“Certainly, Executive Order 5, which was signed means a lot to us and that explains deeply the feelings of this administration, that our professionals must be involved in everything that we do as far as it is possible. We will insist on that.

NIA President, Sonny Echono, highlighted the need to build effective and affordable housing for Nigerians.

He said: “The use of good architecture can bring about better learning outcomes in our schools, increase productivity in our workplaces, healing at our hospitals and ensure order in our cities.”

MEANWHILE, stakeholders in the built environment have called on the Federal Government and private sector to involve architects and allied professionals in building designs and projects.

NIA past president, Gabriel Aduku, who stated this at the 2021 Archbuilt Exposition in Abuja, said situations where projects are conceived, constructed, delivered by entities not registered with Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and NIA is not acceptable.

He said architects must be conscious of the climate change crises. He said energy efficiency designs should be considered in construction.

Aduku explained that the building industry is responsible for the release of carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases that have led to the increasing global warming, adding that key players in the industry should be involved in the building process.

Also speaking, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, said architectural practice will continue to be relevant in Nigeria and urged NIA to sustain it since the profession is evolving.

At Archibuilt, Echono advised architects to use the platform to showcase innovative materials and ideas.

“The professionals that are up-to-date with available materials and adhere to the manufacturers’ stipulation cannot be involved in building collapse,” Echono said.