The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, has declared that professionals, and not politicians will build Nigeria just as he charged the body of professionals not to leave Nigeria in the hands of politicians.
Egbewole made this declaration in Abeokuta, Ogun state, while delivering a lecture titled: “Town Planners, Sustainable Development and Nation Building” at the 10th Waheed Kadiri Lecture Series.
Egbewole, Professor and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), insisted that professionals and not only politicians must build Nigeria as a core of his lecture.
He explained that there is danger in leaving politicians solely in charge of developing Nigeria because according to him, “to a large extent, our decision-makers are planning illiterate”.
- Bournemouth Humiliate Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford as Carrick Faces Mounting Pressure
Bournemouth delivered another painful blow to Manchester United on Sunday,… - Tragedy in Kogi: Police Corporal Allegedly Kills Female Colleague, Takes Own Life After Reported Relationship Crisis
A tragic shooting incident involving two serving police officers has…
“It is now more imperative to allow professionals build our nation than succumb to the manipulations of the few and octopus called government as represented by few misguided public officials.”
Professor Egbewole urged town planners “to promote lively and self-sustaining communities, town planning propositions must be ingenious to foster mix of residential, commercial and recreational land uses and enforce zoning restrictions that allow for mixed-use projects, building a feeling of community and reducing commuting lengths, as far as practicable.
“Every plan should be people-centered. As a process, planning must follow the dictates of Peoples Leading in Addressing their Needs (PLAN) that allows the targeted beneficiaries to take leading roles in conception and settings.
“Town planners must prioritise and plan for efficient and well-maintained infrastructure, including transportation, utilities and public services that meet future requirements and provide fair access to essential services.”
The annual Waheed Kadiri lecture is organised by the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in honour of the former President of NITP, Waheed Kadiri.
