••• Unveils NITP House Project
By 9japarrot
The Kwara State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has inaugurated its newly elected Executive Council, under the leadership of newly invested Chairman Tpl. Giwa Olayinka Mohammed-Sanusi, MNITP, RTP, during an event that also commemorated the Institute’s 60th Anniversary on Wednesday.
The 5th Investiture Ceremony, held in Ilorin, brought together the NITP National President, past chapter chairmen, fellows, built-environment professionals, and senior Kwara State government officials.
The ceremony also served as the official launch of a fundraising campaign for the proposed NITP House, a permanent professional hub for the chapter.
Delivering his inaugural address following his official swearing-in, the new Chairman, Tpl. Giwa Olayinka Mohammed-Sanusi, described the investiture as a vital milestone in advancing physical planning and orderly urban growth across Kwara State.
Tpl. Mohammed-Sanusi reaffirmed the chapter’s commitment to upholding strict professional ethics while acting as a strategic partner to the state government in land use planning, urban renewal, affordable housing, and environmental resilience.
In his words; “Town planners remain strategic partners in supporting government policies on sustainable land use, urban renewal, and economic development. Our Institute will continue to provide professional guidance to ensure that our towns and cities are well-planned, inclusive, functional, safe, and environmentally sustainable.”
He also expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, for his administration’s continued focus on urban transformation, infrastructure development, and good governance across the state.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Outgoing Chairman and former Permanent Secretary of the Kwara State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Tpl. Bolakale Yusuf delivered a farewell address thanking members for their support throughout his administration.
Describing leadership as “a relay, not a personal possession,” Tpl. Yusuf highlighted his executive team’s efforts in promoting continuous professional development and strengthening planning standards.
He urged the Tpl. Mohammed Sanusi led executive council to tackle rapid urbanization, climate resilience, and infrastructure deficits with integrity and innovation.
The ceremony featured a keynote lecture by Tpl. Professor Musibau Omoakin Jelili, a Fellow of the Institute and Professor of Urban Planning and Design at the National University of Lesotho and LAUTECH.
Professor Jelili advocated for evidence-based policies and inclusive planning models to manage Nigeria’s rapid urban expansion.
Marking six decades since the national founding of the NITP, the Kwara Chapter launched a major fundraising campaign for the construction of the NITP House. The proposed facility is designed to enhance institutional capacity and serve as an operational headquarters for urban planning professionals across the region.