By Godfrey AKON
The Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA, has inaugurated Arc. Enyi Ben-Eboh as its 29th President.
Ben-Eboh succeeds Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono who managed the affairs of the Institute in the last two years during which the institute witnessed a rebirth after years of internal discord.
Others elected into the NIA Executive Council include Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi, 1st Vice President, Arc. Sani Ithisham Saulawa, 2nd Vice President, Arc. Chioma Wogu-Ogbonna, 3rd Vice President, Arc. Ibeanu Chike Chamberlain, Honorary General Secretary and Arc. Ali Mukhtar, Treasurer.
Enyi Ben-Eboh noted that prior to the last two years the architectural profession had gone through a four-year period of internal strife.
He reassured all members of the institute that his administration would continue in the path of reconciliation as initiated by his predecessor.
He further assured all that in the first quarter of 2022 an all-encompassing retreat will be convened to not only examine new strategies to reposition the NIA but provide a platform to bring to a closure all contentious issues within the Architecture family in Nigeria.
He also promised to rebrand the Institute for sustainable growth, development and national relevance.
The NIA president promised to collaborate with international sister organizations in the areas of capacity building, knowledge sharing and technological transfer while pledging to collaborate with other built environment professions to develop the nation’s construction industry as was initiated during the last Archibuilt Expo held in October this year.
Speaking At the event, a former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, commended the unique process through which the institute chooses its leaders.
Imoke extolled the virtues of the new President who served under his administration as the Managing Director of the state-owned special purpose vehicle for housing delivery and expects that he would apply same diligence in his new assignment as NIA President.
