By Sarauniya Usman, Abuja
The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has inducted into College of Fellows 30 new members.
The induction was done during the in institute’s 2020 Fellows Induction, Dinner/Award Night in Abuja.
Speaking at the dinner, Chairman of the event, Mr Olumuyiwa Ajibola, immediate past President, NIOB has said the hallmark of true professionals aree special knowledge,competence ethics and integrity.
According to him, the absence of this great attributes has been responsible for many disasters the world over but in particular in our country.
He said most projects failed either financially, technically and even some of the projects in process of construction actually collapse as a result of sticking round pegs in square holes.
“Not to about the penchart for some people in patronising quacks.
“This is a very negative occurance in our nation we must move from the realm of abitrariness to the realm of structured application of selection processes of those who to be handling our projects.
“The new inductees must therefore see as part of the challenges of their new status a commitment to add professional and ethical standards in their approach of the building profession henceforth.”
He urged the inductees to ensure that they encourage fellowship and partnership to move the sector forward.
President, NIOB,Mr Kunle Awobodu,
said the professional association of builders and train builders who are required by law to produce safe and sustainable shelter for man and his activities.
“For too long our society has been misinformed or uninformed about the building delivery process.
“The impression has been created that while the design of buildings is professionalised and seen as services rendered by specialists the construction of the building has been presented as a service any unlettered , untrained but ambitious and connected individual can do.
“Regrettably this is the bane of our housing and building delivery process that has earned us the inevitable reputation of a nation with seeming high building collapses.
“With regards to Nigerian law it is registered builders that are charged with building construction and maintenance we say this with a sense of responsibility to protect life’s and property.
“This by no means implies that the building delivery process from design to construction is not based on team work each participant playing his or her part.
“Am charging our conferrees that the profession and society expects much from you you are required to contribute to policy issues and generate ideas for the progress of our industry and the nation.” Awobodu said.
He therefore urged them to mentor young builders and lead them in the part of professionalism are also required to mentor the younger ones and lead them to the part of professionalism.
In her remarks, Chairman, College of Fellows, NIOB,Mrs Adebolanle Araba, said the building collapses that occur in the country are manifestations of the refusal of the society to engage builders in projects.
She noted that there must be a change of attitude adding that the insttiute was committed to building local capacity and develop infrastructure.
On his part,Founder Aare Babalola University,Aare Afe Babalola, Special Giuest of Honour urged the institute not to relent on its advocacy and struggle to end quackery in the country.
Babalola who was represented by Prof. Remi Akinsheye said he would continue to support the institute both financially and materially.
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