Chinedum Treasure
National Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Anambra state branch has called on educational institutions offering Urban and Regional Planning (URP) in the state to equip the department with essential equipment to ensure qualitative education and improved knowledge for the students.
Val Ezenwa, Anambra Rep in the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) made the call during the visit of the body to the Federal Polytechnic Oko as part activities marking the 60years anniversary.
Other two institutions in the state offering the programme to be visited by the association are Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli as well as Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.
Ezenwa also challenged the alumni body of the institutions to lend their support by assisting the department with relevant facilities to improve their valency.
He said, “A group of town planners started this association in 1966 in Ibadan, with this year making it 66 years. We’re trying to domesticate the body in the state, including visiting institutions offering urp in the state
“Federal Polytechnic Oko happens to be the pioneer school offering the course, and incidentally, I retired from the school last month as Chief lecturer. I also acted as Head of Department as well as Dean of the Faculty.
“During the period, the body instituted a scholarship award for best students which the body has come to renew. That’s why this visit is significant in the life of the department and the students.
“Some of the practical programmes in the department require lots of equipment, including computer software, books as well as equiping the carpentry workshop.
“I think the managers of the institution supposed to look inwards and find ways to acquire the necessary necessary infrastructure for the students.
“But we can’t continue waiting for the school authorities to secure all the equipment. The Alumni body of the school should intervene through donation of the equipment
Also speaking, NITP State Chairman, Igwilo Ifeanyi described URP as an indispensable noble profession, stressing the need for people to appreciate importance of town planning in the environment.
“Town Planners are the master coordinators of the environment; they designs how the environment functions. Remove town planners from the environment, there will be chaos.
“I understand the fact that the society has placed a lot of premium on certain professions, perhaps ignorant of what town planning can offer.
“But you may need to know that that ignorance is wining with intensive awareness, especially increased regulation of projects that violate town planning principles.
“For example, one person can die as a result of doctor’s carelessness, but carelessness from a town planner can destroy a city.
“We want to encourage students in the discipline not to feel inferior. If they understand the noble nature of the course, they’ll know they took the right decision.
“The have limitless offers and opportunities waiting for them on graduation. It’s all about settling down and mastering the profession to impact the society,” he said.
Igwilo however expressed concerns over reasonable number of staff of the department yet to register with the body, urging them to do so in order to reap the enormous benefits.
“Good number of staff are not part of the profession. Please try and register; the procedure is not cumbersome but seamless. Just make up your mind to key into the programme so as to benefit maximally, “he added.
Earlier, Chairman, Anniversary Planning Committee, Dr Joachim Ulasi announced renewal of annual cash awards of N25000 for best graduating students as well as a certificate to back the award.
He added that arrears of the award would be paid to best students that graduated from 2016 till date, urging the department leadership to assist the body compile the list to ensure all beneficiaries were captured.
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