It was a gathering of space designers and leaders of thought who turned out en- masse to support one of their own, Nnezi Uduma Olugu, Ph.D., in the recent public presentation of her second book, Idyllic Historic Landscapes; An Introduction to Landscape Architecture History, at the University of Lagos’ Julius Berger Hall.

*From left: Olatunde Adejuyigbe, Dr Nnezi Uduma-Olugu and Arc. Olubukunola Ejiwunmi at the launch

In his remarks, former Minister of Finance, National Planning and Transport and an Economist at the World Bank, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, who was a special guest, commended the author as a beacon carrier in the effort to build a better country.

Positing that architects and not lawyers, ought to be referred to as learned gentlemen, he defended this position by noting that it is practitioners of this profession that complete the creation of God.

He said the World Bank and Europe in general, develop their environment according to their traditions and culture, as he observed during his extensive travels, a practice which he wished Nigeria would  emulate. Further decrying the contemporary building practice of finishing houses with small windows in the hot weather, he  noted that“fortunately, we still have space within to correct our mistakes.”

Other special guests were former chairman, Union Bank of Nigeria, Elder Kalu. U Kalu, CON; Architect Femi Majekodumi, the chief launcher and Olatunde Adejuyigbe, SAN.  Arc. (Mrs.) Olubukunola Ejiwunmi, a past president of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Vice-Chancellor of the university who was the chief host of the occasion; were also in attendance.

Reviewing the book, Associate Professor at the university’s department of Urban and Regional Planning, Dr Taibat Lawanson, lauded in particular, the extraordinary efforts of the author in going the extra mile towards breaking down the subject matter to the very basics such that the most junior student of Architecture could grasp it.

Fielding questions from newsmen later, Dr Uduma-Olugu noted that the special significance of Idyllic Historic Landscapes is that it is the first indigenous offering from an African perspective. Butressing the reviewer’s statement, she said it is not only a history book but one which would help students with the philosophy of landscaping, giving them a good grasp; adding that it was quite a challenge finding African examples that fit the bill.

Readers have the choice between the regular soft covered copy and a hardback variety published in a landscape and gloss format.