By : Gbadebo Oladimeji E
Ibadan, Nigeria: The Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers – Students Affiliate (NICESA) TPI Chapter organized a peace walk within The Polytechnic, Ibadan premises to raise awareness on the importance of safety and quality in building and infrastructure development. The walk, themed “Walk Against Building and Infrastructure Collapse,” took place from The Polytechnic, Ibadan South Campus to other areas on campus.
The event aimed to sensitize students, staff, and the general public on the need for proper construction practices and regular maintenance of buildings and infrastructure. According to the organizers, the peace walk was necessitated by recent cases of building collapses in Nigeria, resulting in loss of lives and properties.
The NICESA TPI Chapter hopes to use the event to advocate for strict enforcement of building codes and regulations.
“Building collapse is not a disease or virus transmission, but rather a preventable tragedy resulting from human error,” emphasized Engr. Tokunbo Ajanaku, National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE). “It is unacceptable that we continue to lose precious lives and property due to substandard construction practices and negligence.
As a nation, we must take responsibility for ensuring that our buildings are safe and durable. The time to act is now – we must put an end to these avoidable disasters and prioritize the safety of our citizens.”
Ajayi Gbolahan Abdulmalik, President of NICESA TPI Chapter, added, “As future civil engineers, we have a responsibility to ensure that the buildings and infrastructure we design and construct are safe and durable. We hope that this peace walk will raise awareness on the importance of safety and quality in construction.”
Dignitaries present at the event included Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, Acting Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; Engr. Tokunbo Ajanaku, National Chairman of NICE; Engr. Dr. Olaoye, Chairman of NICE Oyo State; Engr. Adebayo Dauda A., Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) Ibadan; and Engr. Sangotola Taiwo, Dean of FENG (AOPE) Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa . These distinguished guests demonstrated their support for promoting safety and quality in construction.
Other notable attendees included departmental staff members Engr. S.B. Raheem and Engr. T.A. Amusat, as well as Shuaib Abdullahi, former National NICESA Coordinator, and Ajayi Abdulmalik, NICESA President TPI.
