Kemisola Oye
THE Executive Director of the Institute for Environment Research and Development (IERD), Prof Adedeji Daramola, has said the institute has concluded a plan to collaborate with UN-Habitat to publish a report on the state of Nigerian cities, following the model of the Global Report on the State of World Cities.
He said the documentation will support proactive urban governance and growth.
Prof Daramola disclosed this at the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF) organised by UN-Habitat, which was held in Cairo, Egypt.
In a statement by Prof Elvis Otobo, IERD Media Consultant, he said the global event was attended by over 24,000 participants from 182 countries, adding that some states in Nigeria and other countries were given various awards.
Prof. Daramola said that the awards aim to integrate Nigerian cities into the global community of urban excellence and development.
UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future with a mission to promote social and environmentally sustainable human settlements and adequate shelter for all.
The IERD announced the award winners during the “Voice From Cities” event, themed: “Rejuvenation of Slums and Local Economic Interventions for Nigerian Cities”.
The executive director noted that this award initiative began in 2008 at the fourth WUF in Nanjing, China and continued at the fifth WUF in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
According to him, “It has since become a biennial event assessing the quality of life in cities.”
However, Cairo was awarded for its smart city approach to urban governance, particularly the development of “Greater Cairo”. An administrative entity that includes parts of Giza and Qalyubia provinces.
Dr. Omar Balbaa from the Ministry of Transport accepted the award on behalf of Cairo Governorate’s governor, Dr Ibrahim Saber.
The award recognized effective management under UN-Habitat’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nigeria states, including Lagos, Ondo, Rivers, Benue, Enugu, Borno, Zamfara, and Kebbi, also bagged awards.
For Lagos, it was celebrated for its proactive approach to crime prevention and efficient transportation systems. Earning the award for outstanding Urban Governance and Safe City Model. The award was accepted on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu by Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and Engr. Fatai Akinderu, Honourable Commissioner for Housing.
Ondo was praised for its innovative community security system, Amotekun, both the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (posthumously) and the current governor received awards.
While Rivers State was recognised for continuity in governance and ambitious housing projects. Governor Siminalayi Fubara received the Award of Excellence for Good Governance and Urban Development.
Benue State was awarded for outstanding grassroots and inclusive governance. Benue’s infrastructural development aims to transform it into a notable tourist destination.
However, Enugu State governor Peter Mbah was recognised for his Smart City Concept, which is likened to Lagos’s Eko Atlantic project. Promising significant economic benefits for the region.
For Borno, the state was awarded for Urban Resilience and Smart City Initiatives. Dr Usman Kumo accepted the award on behalf of the governor. He commended IERD’s objective assessment.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara was honoured for Innovative Urban Governance and City Resilience.
And Kebbi State was recognised for its LAKE Rice product coalition with Lagos State. Kebbi State governor, Dr. Nasir Idris received an award for excellence in Urban Governance and City Prosperity.
Other recognitions were non-state actor organisations such as Lafarge Holcim Conglomerate, T-Pumpy Concepts, Plinths and Pitches Incorporated, and Adron Homes.
Some of the dignitaries at the event included Dr Oluyinka Olumide, Hon Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Lagos and Hon Fatai Akinderu Commissioner for Housing.
Also, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide and Engr. Fatai Akinderu, TPL Nathaniel Atabije, past president of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Bar Festus Adebayo, Executive Director, Housing Development Advocacy Group, and Engr. Oluwole Sotire, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development were in attendance.
Aside from Nigeria, participants from other countries, including Dr. Omar Balbaa from Siemens and Faez A. Althobaiti from Aseer Development Authority, Saudi Arabia, emphasized the international scope of the event.
Eighteen-Eleven Media