Stakeholders in the construction industry have been tasked to always use the services offered by building professionals, to guarantee the construction of durable buildings and end collapse of buildings in the country.
This piece of advice was given during a parley recently held between the Management and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB).
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, represented at the occasion by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Felix Salako, reiterated the significance of building professionals in construction.
He regretted that while the incident of collapse of buildings was increasing in the country, it is evident that most buildings do not adhere strictly to building specifications.
The Vice-Chancellor however said that the University would not restrict itself in the areas of educational expansion, as it is open to run courses that are beneficial to the society.
According to him, “we are not averse to making progress, your visit to us has sensitised us to start to think in that line. With dedication, we shall succeed”.
He added that Building is a specialised area of discipline and that when the hurdles of the process of NUC accreditation, human and material resources are passed; there is a likelihood of the College of Engineering being the anchor College.
The President of the Institute, Mr. Tunde Lasabi, said Building started as a profession in Great Britain in 1854 and later began in Nigeria in 1965. He added that the Ahmadu Bello University was the first University in Nigeria to offer Building as a full course in 1970, followed by the Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Jos in 1979.
Mr. Lasabi decried the low level of awareness of the course in the nation’s higher institutions, noting that there are 19 Universities and three Polytechnics offering Building as a course. He advised that the University should take advantage of its vast potentials to join other Universities in the country to offer Building as a course of study.
Corroborating this position, a staff in the Department of Building, Covenant University and a pioneer lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Tim Mosaku, described Building as a unique profession that is different from engineering when it comes to construction. He condemned the incessant collapse of buildings in countries like China, Malaysia etc, saying that it is rampant in Nigeria these days.
He further called for collective responsibility, noting that it is necessary for all stakeholders to increase awareness on why appropriate professionals and materials are essential in the construction of buildings.