Education
Builder Seeks Passage of 2006 National Building Code
Mr Garuba Olorunoje, a building practitioner has called for the passage of the National Building Code 2006 into law in order to stem the tide of building collapse across the country.
Olorunoje, made the call while presenting the 24th Edition of Prof. Edward Obiakor’s Inaugural Lecture Series of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.
Olorunoje, a lecturer in the Department of Building Technology, who spoke on: “Building Failure in Nigeria: The Unending Phenomenon” said giving adequate legal backing to the code would bring the desired sanity to the building industry.
Olorunoje said that the non-passage of the law had resulted in refusal to engage professionals, wrong or inadequate use of materials contrary to specifications and corruption of statutory bodies in granting building approvals.
He maintained that the code or regulations as structured had worked effectively and efficiently to ensure proper planning and execution of building projects in other parts of the world where it exists.
“It is my humble opinion that signing that code into law is capable of bringing a lot of sanity into the building in Nigeria,” he said.
The deputy rector administration, of the institution expressed the need for the government to empower the professional building registration bodies financially and legally so as to function maximally.
Olorunoje identified causes of building collapses in the country to include the menace of quackery in the building industry, political interference and corruption in the selection of contractors.
Others, according to him are: negligence and corruption on the part of statutory bodies, ageing and inadequate maintenance, design errors, foundation errors as well as poor workmanship and inadequate supervision.
“There are so many impostors in the building industry today that operate in the construction industry with false claims of skills and qualifications.
“These impersonators do not possess the technical training and skills necessary to carryout the jobs.
“Often times, it is an awkward practice that persons who are totally ignorant of technology and management of building construction get the jobs.
“Political heavy weights often get contract allocations which they re-sell.
“Evening when the eventual buyer of that contract is a professional, it is not unlikely that a shoddy job which will soon begin to show signs of failure will be the end result,” he said.
Olorunoje said critical stakeholders in the building industry such as the clients, the professional bodies, the professionals, government and the general public must be proactive to reduce the problems of building collapse to a manageable proportion.
“Whoever the clients is should at all times employ the right professionals to execute the proposed project.
“Stringent penalties should be applied to those responsible for collapse building, whether lives lost or not.
“The current practice where approvals are granted based on personal relationship is dangerous.
“This development does not only criminally distort the master plan of our cities but encourages building construction in flood plains and places with inadequate setbacks from high tension cables,” he said. (NAN)
President of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, on Tuesday, called on state governors to prioritise the welfare of teachers to enhance quality education at the grassroots.Amba made the call at the Adamawa NUT Delegates’ Conference, with the theme: “Education Challenge in an Economy of Uncertainty: Effect of Teachers,” in Yola.
While appreciating Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri for the immediate implementation of N70,000 minimum wage, he called on other governor, who had yet to implement it in their states to do so. The NUT president advised members to be productive and strive to undergo training and retraining to further enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.He called on delegates to elect leaders who would lead well and be bold enough to protect the interests of teachers.Amba also appealed to the governor to implement the minimum wage for primary school teachers and local government workers.In his address, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adamawa chapter, Emmanuel Fashe, decried what he called over-taxation of the civil servants in the state, following the implementation of the new minimum wage.Fashe commended the state government for the recent employment of qualified teachers, calling for employment of more, especially primary school teachers.He urged the delegates to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and vote wisely.The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Education Reform, Prof. Sofema Geoffrey, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of education in the state.According to him, NUT has a lot to showcase in term of support to government to ensuring quality education in the state.Fintri urged the delegates to conduct a peaceful conference.He assured that other issues at the forum, especially the ones on over-taxation, would be put into consideration. (NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
No fewer than 41 Students out of the total number of 1,863 bagged first class degree at the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Lokoja
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, disclosed this in his speech at the 8th convocation ceremony held at the Felele main Campus of the institution in Lokoja at the weekend.
He said that 461 students were conferred with Second Class Upper and 974 got Second Class Lower while 384 students bagged Third Class and 3 students were awarded Pass Degree.
Professor Olayemi Akinwumi also announced that a total of 117 students were awarded Diploma and 216 with postgraduate degrees: Ph.
D, Master’s and PGD.He said that within his short period in office, the university had embarked on a landmark Collaboration with Rural Electrification Agency to provide reliable power generation via renewal energy solutions such as installation of campus-wide street lighting and establishment of renewable energy training centres.
The Vice Chancellor also announced that Federal University, Lokoja under his administration established the first-ever Zoo and Conservatory in Kogi state to serve not only as a significant hub for research and education but also provide a unique platform for community engagement and environmental conservation.
“It is worth noting that prior to my assumption of office in 2021, only two inaugural lectures were held at our university but now I am proud to share that we have successfully conducted a total of twenty-two inaugural lectures since then.
“In our commitment to fostering engagement with critical societal issues, we have prioritised public lectures as the cornerstone of our mission at FUL. Since our last convocation, we have successfully organized six impactful public lectures that have addressed a variety of important topics” Professor Olayemi Akinwumi further disclosed.
No fewer than 10 graduates of Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun, bagged first class degree as the institution held its 5th and 6th convocation ceremony on Friday.
Prof. Adenike Kuku, the Vice-Chancellor of the university in her remarks, said that the convocation was for thr 2023/2024 set christened “Royal and Elites Sets”.
Kuku said that the 2023 sets comprises of 37 graduands, while the 2024 sets had 66 graduands.
According to her, Bright Ayomide of 2023 sets had the highest CGPA of 4.
65 in Science/ Information Systems and Technology /Computer Science.She said that in the 2024 sets, Utibe-Ubon Emmanuella of the department of political science/humanities, management and social sciences was the best overall best student with 4.
69 CGPA.Kuku urged the graduands to put the knowledge acquired from the university into practice and impact the society positively through diligence and handwork.
Mr John Obaro, the CEO/Group Managing Director, System Specs Limited, who delivered the convocation lecture, urged the graduands to embrace digital technology to excel in their areas of endeavours.
Obaro spoke on the theme “Navigating the Digital Era: Embracing Creativity and Unlocking the Boundaries of Technology”.
He also urged them to be creative, unique and find areas of solving problems, which the world was facing through technology and digital innovations.
“Now is the time for you to build on the foundations laid by past innovations.
“Just as the wheel, writing, and the internet transformed society, the innovations of yesterday become the standard features of today.
“As you stand on the threshold of this new era, it is your moment to unleash your own innovations”, he said.
He also urged the graduands to develop digital skills, foster growth mindset, exploit transformative technologies and be value driven.
Obaro was, thereafter, conferred with Honourary Doctor of Science.
In his remarks, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, the Chancellor and Founder of the university, urged the graduands to be creative and explore areas of entrepreneurship to stand out.
Ashimolowo, the senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) also urged them to be solution providers.
According to him, the notion of chasing one’s passion is no longer reasonable in a world where employers are looking for problem solvers.
Ashimolowo said that in Nigeria and the world over, there were serious graduates who were unemployed.
He charged them to pursue self development, be creative, original and be sensitive to problem solving. (NAN)
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