The newly inaugurated 12th President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), Mr Hakeem Badejo, has been enjoined to deliberately embrace planning as a strategic tool for national stability.
Giving the admonition during the investiture ceremony held in Lagos, the Immediate Past President of ATPCON, Mr Adebisi Adedire explained that through inclusive planning and policy formulations, improved land use planning, proper zoning amongst others, planning can significantly contribute to reducing insecurity, restoring social order and promoting sustainable development across the country.
Adedire said that the country was presently confronted with serious security concerns ranging from banditry and kidnapping to insurgency and general insecurity across urban and rural environment.
According to him, the expectations of the followers concerning the leadership are high and lofty, urging Badejo to prayerfully configure his visions from time to time to lead effectively.
The immediate past president of ATOPCON, in his valedictory speech, cited some of the achievements during his tenure, saying that ATOPCON remained united, focused and progressive as it did not merely react to issues; it engaged institutions, influenced policy conversations, and asserted the relevance of town planning consultancy in national development.
He said, “As we mark this transition, I wish to remind us all that the leadership in ATOPCON is a task, not a title. Those who seek office must be prepared to serve with humility, integrity and sacrifice. The future of this association depends not on one individual, but on our collective commitment to professionalism, unity and ethical practice.
“I am confident that the incoming leadership has the capacity, vision and support required to take ATOPCON to even greater heights. I urged all members to extend to them the same cooperation, loyalty and encouragement that I enjoyed during my tenure”.
The guest speaker at the event, Prof. Timothy Nubi, who spoke on the topic: “The Role of Professionals in Good Governance”, defined good governance as the effective, efficient and accountable management of public resources and institutions.
Nubi, a professor of Estate Management and Urban Renewal, urged the leadership of ATOPCON to fight for the relevance, existence and sustainability of the profession, saying that real estate was the engine room of any nation.
He urged ATOPCON to pursue this process diligently through their consistent provision of expertise and advice to policymakers, support for policy development and implementation, compliance with laws and regulations and fostering of citizen engagement and participation.
Nubi, who underscored the need for proper planning of the environment and responsible urban renewal, frowned at the recent demolition of buildings and properties across Lagos State.
“We can use our professional value to strengthen or weaken policies of the economy. Institutions are more than rules. For Town Planning Consultants, this means that governance is not enforced only by law, but also by professional values and common understanding that shape decisions.
“Good governance in urban development does not emerge by chance; professional integrity often matters more than written law,” he said.
In his inaugural speech, Badejo said that part of his plans to improve the profession hinged on dedication to foster proactive/positive impacts, relevance and knowledge sharing among members, saying that town planners should see themselves as problem-solvers.
According to him, he accepts the office not as a personal achievement, but as a call to service for the association and humanity.
“As town planners we must see ourselves as society’s problem-solvers, not as complicators of its problems. For too long, we have been perceived as regulators, not as visionaries; as obstacles, not enablers; as the perpetual gatekeepers who say “No” to development.
“This narrative must change. We must become proactive, setting plans far ahead of development. We must ask, “How can this project fly?” rather than simply why it should be rejected. We must say “YES” to visionary projects that benefit society. We must be bold, proactive and indispensable. This is our new covenant with Nigerian,” Badejo said.
