It was a rainy day on Wednesday, the 9th of June, 2021, when the 9th Annual College Lecture of the College of Environmental Sciences (COLENVS) held at the Marquee, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State. The Theme of the Event was “Challenges of Standard Construction in the Nigerian Housing Sector”. The Lecture was delivered by Bldr. Kunle Awobudu, FNIOB, President, Nigerian Institute of Building.
The Vice Chancellor, who was the Chairman of the event, in his welcome address, expressed his appreciation to the guest speaker for graciously accepting to honor the university and deliver the lecture.
He stated that the lecture was laying the foundation for a mutually beneficial professional relationship with the College of Environmental Sciences and Bells University of Technology. He concluded by saying the lecture would generate enough discourse for the faculty and students and amongst the various stakeholders in the sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.
Thé guest speaker opened with an analogy of a young Nigerian man who had recently purchased a building in Lagos, the man had preferred to buy a house rather than deal with the stressful process of constructing a house by direct labor, though it had been an exciting prospect, the excitement quickly dwindled in coming weeks as the house began to show its weakness and defects; the point of the analogy was to examine the challenges relating to standard construction in the housing sector. He stated that one major thing that all human beings need is the need for shelter. The housing sector on his own is a barometer of the health and development of a nation. He further stated that while shelter remains an essential of life, the quality of the shelter matters a lot.
In attendance were other members of Management including the Vice Chancellor, Professor Jeremiah Ojediran MNSE, the Registrar, Mr Lamidi Tafa, the University Librarian, Dr Felicia Yusuf, the Bursar Mr Sina Adepoju, The Dean COLENVS, Emeritus Prof. James I. Ighalo, guests from the industry, students of Bells Secondary school, Ota, members of staff and students. It was a highly insightful experience.
