Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Anambra State Chapter has announced its plans to institute an Annual Award for the Best Graduating Student in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal Polytechnic Oko.
Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Tpl. Igwilo Ifeanyi disclosed this during the group’s visit to the institution as part of activities marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute.
He said the cash award of N25,000, to be accompanied with certificate, is designed to recognize academic excellence, reward hard work, encourage healthy competition, and inspire students to pursue professional distinction.
He added that beneficiaries from 2016 to date would also receive the outstanding awards, urging the department to compile the list of eligible graduates.
He said, “Beyond the recognition, it represents our commitment to strengthening the relationship between the Institute and the academia while encouraging future Town Planners to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, innovation, and service to society.
“We are particularly proud of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, whose graduates have continued to make remarkable impacts within and outside Anambra State.
“We are confident that this initiative will motivate students to strive for excellence and further deepen the longstanding partnership between the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and Federal Polytechnic Oko.”
Reaffirming the body’s readiness to collaborate with the institution in areas of academic development, professional mentoring, curriculum support, research, seminars, workshops, public lectures and capacity-building initiatives, Igwilo expressed optimism that such move would enrich learning experience of URP students in the Polytechnic.
“One of the major objectives of the NITP at sixty is to invest in the future of the planning profession by encouraging academic excellence among young scholars. We believe that the sustainability of our profession depends largely on the quality of professionals we nurture today.
“As we celebrate sixty years of professional excellence, we remain convinced that stronger collaboration between professional bodies and academic institutions is essential for producing graduates who are not only academically sound but also professionally competent and globally competitive.
“We appreciate the cordial relationship that exists between your institution and our Institute and look forward to sustaining and expanding this partnership for the benefit of our profession and our nation,” he added.
Describing town planning as a vital profession that ensures orderly development and sustainable communities, the chairman encouraged students to remain proud of their choice of career, assuring them of abundant opportunities after graduation.
He also urged lecturers in the department who were yet to register with the institute to do so in order to enjoy the benefits of professional membership.
Also speaking, Anambra representative in the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), Tpl Val Ezenwa described the visit as both symbolic and significant, calling on institutions offering URP programmes to provide modern equipment such as computer software, books and workshop facilities to improve practical training.
He also appealed to alumni associations to support their departments through donations of relevant facilities.
Highlight of the visit a lecture delivered to the students on Carrier Choice and Inherent Future Opportunities by Tpl Dr. Alom Anselem.
