ABU, Faculty of Environmental Design organises symposium in commemoration of 2024 World Habitat Day

The Faculty of Environmental Design, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has organised a symposium to mark the 2024 World Habitat Day with the theme “Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future” held at the University Assembly Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria. 

In his remark, the Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design, Prof. Abdullahi Abubakar, explained that the United Nations in 1985 declared 1st October as World Habitat Day which is celebrated globally every year. 

Prof. Abdullahi described the theme as apt, as it was a call to action for the youth to address the urban challenges. He charged the professionals to serve as mentors to the younger generation as well as to be the drivers of good training and development. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, who was represented by the Chairman, University Organising Lectures Committee, Prof. Jacob Jari, said that “as we celebrate this year’s Habitat Day, we look forward to motivating the youth for a better future”. 

In his address, the chairman of the occasion, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Federal University of Education, Kano, Prof. Ahmed Adamu, commended the effort of the faculty for upholding the tradition of celebrating World Habitat Day. He believed that the symposium would change and shape the life of the youth.   

Prof. Adamu stressed that it was their responsibility to support and train the youth on future challenges and to also teach them with compassion. 

In a paper presentation, entitled “The Role of Young Professionals Mentorship in Creating a Better Urban Future for All”, the keynote speaker, who is the President, Nigeria Institute of Building, Bldr. Sir Alderton Ewa Ewa (FNIOB), explained that this year’s theme “focuses on the role of young professionals mentorship in creating a better urban future for all. He reminded of the importance of global cooperation and local action in shaping the future of urban environment”. 

President, Nigeria Institute of Building, Bldr. Ewa Ewa, represented by Bldr. Abubakar Sadiq Idris, said that mentorship is a powerful tool that can open doors and provide invaluable insight. 

“It is our responsibility to share our knowledge and experiences with the next generation, by facilitating mentorship programmes to assist young professionals navigate their career, while encouraging them to think creativity about the urban environment and its future”, he said.   

President, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arch. Mobolaji Adeniyi, spoke on the role of synergy and cooperation among professionals of the built environment in creating a better urban future for all. 

Arch. Adeniyi explained that the youth are drivers of social change, their preferences for sustainability and digitalisation influence how cities evolve, particularly in terms of public spaces and social infrastructure. 

She further said that youth contribute massively to the economy through entrepreneurship and work force participation. 

At the end of the event, Nigerian Institute of Architects launched endowment fund of five million Naira every year for the best architectural design for B.Sc. and M.Sc.