ADDRESS GIVEN AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF ATOPCON LAGOS STATE BRANCH 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 18TH MAY 2023
Protocols,
I feel honoured by the invitation extended to me to be the chairman at the formal opening session of the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Lagos State Branch of our Association.
I have always asked how do I assure myself that I am from outside Lagos State by residence or practice? Though my residence and location of my office are in Ogun State but the reality is that I am a member of a national body, NITP and group ATOPCON. We are all of national relevance, though domesticated in the various state branches. I know that no matter how much I argue, my colleagues in Lagos State always make me feel accepted, in the state always. Having said that I will like to extend the goodwill of all of us at ATOPCON Ogun State Branch. It is nice to be here to be part of this event.
It is also pleasing to know that member firms of ATOPCON from other branches are represented here. It all shows that we are part of a body that had set as one of its objectives “the promotion and development of an enabling environment aimed at the advancement of Town Planning Practice.”
Though the theme of this AGM is “The Challenges of Effective Town Planning Practice in the Rapidly Expanding City of Lagos: The Role of Consultant Town Planners in Perception” it can be of relevance beyond Lagos. I am of the view that in planning practice and administration Lagos sets the pace, or why will other state, be adopting Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as the identity of their planning setup? While accepting this fact, we should also accept the fact that there would not be a perfect set-up and this could be the reason for the focus of the theme –Effective Practice.
Do we see and talk about the imperfections? Do we generate ideas for the consideration of the operators of the system? Do we point out some deficiencies in the regulations that guide our performances?
There are so many questions to be asked but I am aware that our Association is rising up to meet the challenges. If not, why was the 2023 Professional Development Workshop had as its theme – Encouraging Global Best Practices in Town Planning Consultancy Service Delivery? Why was the 2022 Annual General Meeting focused on “Expectations from a Town Planning Consultant in Project Delivery,” We have been challenging ourselves. However, we need to stop talking to ourselves only, we should stop winking in the dark. I challenge us to start listening to our clients and those Ogunleye (2022) identified as the “expectants”.
Going back to the theme, I will like to challenge us, as consultants, to raise the bar of individuals and corporate bodies in the area of communication including being good listeners, our attention to details, people skills, time management and of course our professional ethics. Not also forgetting the fact that most of the times we are consultants because our clients expects us to know more than they do and therefore guide them alright. We should be ready to give quality service that could be provided by members of ATOPCON only.
While not trying to give a lecture which I think our guest speaker, TPL. Salako FNITP, by virtue of having straddled the private practice and public sectors as an administrator will do justice to, I will like to declare this AGM opened as we relax and hear “the speaker of the day”.
Once again, I thank the organisers for the honour bestowed on me
TPL. Waheed Kadiri FNITP, PPNITP, PPATOPCON