Retired Nigerian Army General Theophilus Danjuma, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and Fesadeb Media Group CEO and Africa International Housing Show Convener Festus Adebayo recently received special recognition from the Nigerian Institute of Town Planning (NITP).
Officials of the professional body explained that Danjuma and his colleagues were awarded honorary fellows of the institute for their respective efforts and contributions to environment, urban and regional development.
The recognition and presentation of the honorary award took place as part of the Institute’s 2024 Annual Conference and General Assembly held in Enugu, which brought together eminent experts from across Nigeria to celebrate the contributions of the awardees.
Danjuma was recognized for its commitment to environmental conservation and urban development, particularly through its greening efforts in Abuja. The project aims to combat deforestation, reduce urban heat and improve air quality.
The retired Army general is credited with significantly improving the city’s green space, resulting in a more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing environment. His commitment to public education through workshops and seminars on environmental issues further underlines his dedication to fostering a greener Nigeria.
Governor Radda was recognized for his visionary leadership in urban and regional planning, which distinguished him as a public servant. The administration appointed four physical planners to key roles in the state, reinvigorated the Katsina State Urban Development Commission with equipment worth N1 billion and launched a major urban renewal project with a budget of N74 billion for the expansion of urban roads.
His work reshaped Katsina’s physical planning landscape and positioned the state as a leader in urban and regional planning in Northern Nigeria.
NITP said Mr. Adebayo was recognized for his work promoting urban and regional planning through his global brand, the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS). He is said to be an avid supporter of NITP, using platforms such as Housing TV Africa to spotlight important planning issues.
In his speech after receiving the award, Governor Radda expressed his gratitude to NITP for recognizing its efforts in Katsina State. “We thank the Urban Planning Association of Nigeria for recognizing our work in the state and we also thank Almighty Allah for making this possible.
This gives us inspiration and courage to do more, especially when tackling issues such as flooding that can be alleviated through proper urban planning. This award, given by such an expert and respected body, is of great value to us and motivates us to continue developing and planning our state,” he asserted.
A surprised Mr. Adebayo thanked the Institute for the award, saying, “This Honorary Fellowship notice came as a surprise.I see it as a call to do more to promote urban planning and urban development, which are essential to the development of housing and construction in Nigeria.I am very honored and I thank the President, the Council of Fellows, and everyone involved for making this possible.Receiving this award has inspired me to strive to further contribute to the development of this field.”
Earlier, the President of the College of the Fellows, Donatus Obialo, had emphasized the role of the Fellows in maintaining the integrity of the institute. “The Fellowship of the Urban Planning Society of Nigeria is not only an honor and title but also a responsibility. Your future actions will be a great endorsement of this honor and award,” he appealed to the awardees.
“We must never do anything that tarnishes the image of the institute or the planning profession,” he said, urging them to lead by example.
