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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), has challenged its members to get acquainted with the developments/revolution in the world as driven by technology to improve on their skills, competence, productivity and worth, in order to remain relevant.
The Council during 36th induction and registration of new Town Planners, reminded its members that the era of spending/wasting time with pen and paper drawings have gone, hence they, particularly younger and new members, should sharpen their technological skills to improve their services and productivity.
TOPREC President, TPL Isyaku Muhtar Kura (FNITP), in his address at the 36th induction ceremony of newly registered Town Planners in Abuja, said the world has gone “smart and digital” and warned that members who are still in analogue era/mentality would soon be redundant and loose their value and relevance.
Kura said: “It’s my honour and privilege to perform a statutory function conferred on me by the Town Planners Act (CAP T7 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004). This ceremony is another milestone in the profession of Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria. It marks the 36th Investiture with 288 new members being admitted. This addition brings the total Registered Town Planners till date to 5,963.”
“Your induction is tailored to enable you understand the principles of the profession, and your expectations on the job using ICT to identify gaps and future needs and allocate resources accordingly. ICT has a strong potential to transform economies and physical planning in several ways.”
While he congratulated the inductees, he also confirmed that they have successfully passed written and oral examinations to stand qualified for induction, reminding them that as professional town planners, they are expected to work with other professionals in tackling the environmental challenges in response to the growing effects of climate change.
“Additionally, you are reminded of your responsibilities and obligations to our professional organizations, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) and Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC). They have distinct programmes and projects to which you must be committed. These include meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars at local, national and international levels.
“You need to commit your time energy and financial resources to these programmes most especially those that are statutory in transmitting Council information. The carriers of the information should be role models.
National President of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), TPL Nathaniel M. Atebije, (FNITP), in his remarks, noted that the induction exercise signifies injection of new blood, new ideas and new skills into the profession.
He said: “It’s an opportunity to celebrate men and women who are joining in the efforts to change the face of physical development in the nation. The recognition and license should be taken with the seriousness it deserves.”
He, however, informed them that professionals grow through being visionary, creative, effective communication and analytical skills, proactive and pragmatic decision making abilities, as well as being equipped with initiatives to improve and meet the needs of the total environment.”
The Principal Partner, Pragmatic Solutions Consult Nigeria Limited, Kabir Yari, who delivered a lecture titled, “The Fourth Industrial Revolution. ICT and the opportunities for Urban and Regional Planning Practice in Nigeria” said that smart city construction is what is acceptable now.
He challenged the new inductees to immerse themselves with requisite technological skills that would enable them contribute positively and greatly to the profession.
He said that Nigeria has shortage of technical knowledge in the application of ICT in urban planning. “This is a cause for concern, especially since most practitioners lack formal education in ICT. There is need to improve the abilities of practitioners and integrates ICT into the curriculum of planning in schools in Nigeria. By doing so, we can address the critical problem and ensure that urban planning in Nigeria is equipped for future challenges,” he said.
