By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has inaugurated a national committee to drive the planning and execution of its forthcoming 60th anniversary celebration, marking six decades of professional contributions to urban and regional planning in Nigeria.

The National Public Relations Secretary of the Institute, Dr. Chiahemba Nor, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the inauguration was performed by the National President of NITP, Dr. Ogbonna Chime.

Nor said the President “charged the Committee to work assiduously for great results in the celebration,” underscoring the importance of the milestone.

He explained that “established in April 1966, the NITP marks six decades of significant contributions to the field of town planning, a milestone considered highly worthy of celebration.” He added that to ensure a successful commemoration, “a national organizing committee led by Dr. Moses Ogunleye has been constituted.”

According to him, the committee is saddled with key responsibilities, including “organizing and promoting the anniversary, managing publicity, producing documentaries on the Institute’s history, and highlighting its major achievements in urban and regional planning across Nigeria.”

Speaking on the assignment, the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Ogunleye, said “the committee’s work begins immediately,” adding that “the climax of the celebrations is set to take place during the NITP International Conference and AGM later in the year in Lagos.”

He further revealed that “a wide array of activities has been scheduled to commemorate the 60th anniversary, beginning in April and continuing through October,” noting that the events would culminate at the Institute’s International Conference and Annual General Meeting.

Among the lined-up activities are “anniversary lectures, the publication of a commemorative book titled ‘NITP at 60,’ and visits to pioneering institutions instrumental in the training of town planners in Nigeria.” The institutions listed include “The Polytechnic Ibadan in the West, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the East, and Kaduna Polytechnic in the North.”

Providing historical insight, Dr. Ogunleye stated that “the origins of the NITP in Nigeria dates back to April 1966, when Pa S. O. Tokun and eight other pioneering planners convened in Ibadan.”

He noted that “their initial meeting laid the foundation for the professional body, which held its official inaugural meeting on September 5, 1966, at the Lagos Executive Development Board (LEDB).”

He added that “the Institute’s provisional Executive Council was established with Dr. T.M. Aluko serving as secretary,” while “key founding members including Chief M. O. Onafowokan and Chief M. O. Abiose” played pivotal roles in its formation.

Tracing its regulatory milestones, Dr. Ogunleye said “by 1988, the Institute advocated for the promulgation of Decree No. 3 of 1988 by the Federal Military Government, which regulated planning practice in Nigeria, widely known as the TOPREC decree.”

He added that “formal recognition of the Institute came with the Urban and Regional Planning Law – Act 88 of December 1992,” with its current legal standing referenced under “CAP 431 LFN 1990 and CAP T7 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Highlighting its impact, he noted that “since 1966 the NITP has immensely contributed in the policy arena on a wide range of issues at the urban and regional scales,” including “housing, land administration, environmental management, climate change, infrastructure, city management, green economy, waste management, and urban renewal.”

He further stressed that “in master planning of communities, regions, and campuses, the NITP has provided expertise over the decades in producing robust master plans,” while also advancing manpower development through “the establishment of planning schools across the country, and the establishment of many planning agencies.”

Describing the anniversary as significant, Dr. Ogunleye said the celebration “is therefore a landmark accomplishment to be celebrated across the state capitals, local government areas and in Abuja,” assuring that “it promises to be awesome and a colourful celebration.”