Property Developers and aspiring young Professionals have been charged to focus more on building affordable and sustainable infrastructure as well as embrace digital technologies to rebuild public trust.
A Real Estate Expert, Pastor Bolu Alabi gave the charge, while delivering a distinguished Alumni lecture as part of activities to commemorate the Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU) at 65 organized by the faculty of Estate Design and Management held at the Oduduwa hall Ile-Ife, in Osun State.
Alabi whose lecture was entitled: OAU @65: The impact of Alumni on Nigeria’s Real Estate and Built Environment explained that environment remained the foundation upon which healthcare, education, commerce, and national development was anchored before they become a reality.
The Ikere Ekiti born -US based realtor who is an Alumnus of OAU observed that Nigeria still needed professionals that could harness emerging technologies to solve future challenges, calling on professionals especially the Alumni to take more proactive measures to shape public policy, housing, urban development, and infrastructure.
The Guest lecturer, however attributed the challenges facing the sector in Nigeria to include, Housing Deficit, Rapid Urbanization, Infrastructure Gap, Building Safety, Climate Change, Technological Transformation, Land Administration and Ethical Leadership.
“Our work is far from finished. Nigeria still needs affordable housing, better-planned cities, stronger infrastructure, sustainable development, ethical leadership, and professionals who can harness emerging technologies to solve tomorrow’s challenges.” said Alabi
Pastor Alabi who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying from the University acknowledged the progress recorded in the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management and projected that in the next 25 years it would prepare students that would redefine Nigeria and world through the profession in advance technological methods.
Alabi projected that, ‘Twenty-five years from now, I see a Faculty whose research shapes policy across Africa, whose graduates lead global organisations and smart-city initiatives, and whose innovations redefine affordable housing and sustainable development. Above all, I see a Faculty that continues to produce visionaries, nation-builders, and leaders of integrity.”
The Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Adebayo Bamire represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Olusola Aderohunmu, Dean, faculty of Environmental and Management, Professor Babasehinde Ademuleya said that the theme was apt as it would prepare future generation of professionals for national development.
Goodwill messages came from the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Obas and the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu- Alagbado, the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon and the Vice Chancellor BOUESTI, Professor Babatunde Omojola who hailed Pastor Alabi for his exceptional philanthropy, commitment to educational advancement and enduring contributions to National development.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the Award of Excellence to Pastor Bolu Alabi.
Some other distinguished EDM alumni and guests were also honoured among whom were a former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Professor Olusola Eleka and first Professor of Quantity Surveying in Africa, Professor Olubola Babalola.
Pastor Alabi had earlier received a warm reception at the faculty of Estate Design and Management courtesy of the Dean and other top officials.
