Arc. (Sir) Dipo Àjàyí has been reelected as the President of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), after the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, inaugurated the 14th Council in Abuja, recently.
After the inauguration of the council, an election of principal officers followed with Arc. (Sir) Àjàyí reelected president, having defeated Arc. Kabiru Ibrahim, who was tipped by the Nigerian Institute of Architects to clinch the coveted seat.
Similarly, Arc. Mohammed Aminu Kani emerged the Vice President, having defeated Arc. Fatai Falola. While the Registrar of the Council remains Arc. Umar Murnai, the Treasurer is Arc. Ugwuanyi Onyedikachi Odobuma.
The Minister thereafter charged the new Council members to urgently work towards the amendment of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act 2004, to align it to the realities of the present time.
Arc. Dangiwa said, "As you get ready to start work, I also want to draw your attention to the fact that the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act 2004, being a statute created by the National Assembly, needs immediate and urgent review and update by way of Amendment.
"The Act needs a surgical review to align its mandate with the realities of today and beyond. The Ministry under my watch would encourage this Council to urgently begin work on this amendment. We should aim to remove all areas of ambiguities.
"We should incorporate the right to exist and function with the common objective of promoting the Profession, in accordance with the provision of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended (which gives Right to Freedom of Association), accordingly.
"I must also not fail to draw the attention of this Council to the incessant incidents of building collapse in our country. The recurring phenomenon has led to loss of lives, and waste of resources and brought shame to the profession and the housing sector.
"This Council must therefore be committed from inception to play its part by promoting accountability, transparency through the implementation of initiatives that would enhance good governance in the built environment by bringing registered architects to uphold ethical conduct and integrity."
He urged them to "take time and go through the Act Establishing ARCON so you can fully understand the task that you are about to undertake. This must be a Council that delivers results that align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for Housing and Urban Development."
The minister also charged the Council members to see their nomination as a call to service. "Each of you must strive in the conduct of this assignment to be selfless, professional, above board and focused on the interest of the profession, the country and teeming Architects in our country."
In his acceptance speech, the President, Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Arc. (Sir) Dipo Ajayi expressed gratitude to his colleagues and called for unity to enable them succeed, saying "As we move forward together, I urge us all to embrace the spirit of cooperation, unity, and commitment. Let us celebrate our diversity and harness our collective strengths to elevate our profession and create a lasting impact.
"Let us work together to build a brighter future for architecture in Nigeria, where creativity thrives, innovation flourishes, and our contributions make a meaningful difference in the lives of our people.
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"And to my teeming aspiring friends waiting to be registered, I want to assure you that I see your potential and I am committed to supporting your growth. As a Council, we recognise the challenges you face and are working tirelessly to create opportunities for your development and licensure. Keep pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation, and know that your contributions will shape the future of our profession.
"To the newly inaugurated members of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, I charge you to remember that our success is inextricably linked to our ability to work together towards a common goal.
"Let us stand united, support one another, and strive for excellence in all we do. Thank you for your dedication and passion for architecture. Together, we will shape the future of our profession and create a legacy that will inspire generations to come."
