Standards and Compliance were the key words as the College of Environmental Sciences, Bells University of Technology, Ota, held the eleventh edition of its College Lecture Series.
The lecture was themed: REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND STANDARDS IN BUILDING CONTROL.
The welcome address was delivered by the Ag. Dean, Dr. Atinuke Orekan where she reiterated the resolve by the College to continually chart a path to knowledge and intellectual dialogue.
She also announced that the College has encapsulated past college lectures in the College, in a remarkable literary work titled “Issues and Practices in Nigeria’s Built Environment”.
This compilation serves to immortalize the wisdom imparted and also serves as a testament to the dedication to scholarly pursuits and academic excellence.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jeremiah O. Ojediran, R.E (COREN) FNSE, FNIAE, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Akunnaya Opoko, praised and appreciated the Guest Lecturer for coming in person to deliver the lecture.
He asserted the need for citadels of learning to tap into the wealth of experience from such seasoned professionals like the guest lecturer.
The Guest lecturer, Architect Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, FNIA, took the rapt audience on the strict and technical task of building regulation for the compliance to standards and control.
With copious examples and graphic illustrations, he dissected the intricacies of ensuring compliance for the ultimate goal of safety for the users which are the people.
Furthermore, he highlighted the implications of non-compliance to standards which are evident in the spate of collapsed buildings recently. These he said are treated as criminal offences to which the government is not taking lightly.
In all, it was a lecture of revelations and enlightenment for the audience as many building construction practices that used to be viewed as normal were revealed to be professionally and legally wrong without prior government approval.