By Oyibo Salihu
Lokoja
National President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Arc. Tonye Oliver Braide, has called on the Kogi state government to key into the industrialisation drive by providing an enabling environment to attract more industries, especially in the area of architectural components.
Addressing professionals and stakeholders in the building industry during the 2016 World Architecture Day celebrations organised by the Kogi state chapter in Lokoja yesterday, Braide said the presence of Ajaokuta Steel Company, West African Ceramics and Dangote Cement had already made the state an industrial hub.
He maintained that if the state government “can take the advantage of the numerous mineral deposits in the state, it is capable of bringing stimulus for growth,” pointing out that “architecture will rise to the challenge to build a modern Lokoja.”
In his remarks, a former Minister of State for Health, Arc. Gabriel Aduku, wondered why Lokoja that had at one time or the other served as the nucleus of the country still remained undeveloped.
He, therefore, called on the leadership of the state and professionals in viable fields to put heads together with a view to gathering ideas that would develop the state.
Aduku charged Governor Yahaya Bello to utilise the God-given opportunity to turn around the state for the better.
In his welcome address, the state chairman of NIA, Arc. Kayode Oloninisi, disclosed that Kogi chapter of NIA would join hands with the state government to make the environment safe for the people.