The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi has expressed her worry over the trend and level of planning and development of our universities across the nation

The Vice Chancellor stated her disturbing concern when officials of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners led by the National President, TPL Toyin Ayinde paid a courtesy call on her in the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room.

Prof Florence Obi said her worry emanate from the painful reality that aside the spate and trend of planning in the universities diverting from the originating master plan, it does not seem to consider the future and lacks the content of sustainable planning.

Prof Obi acknowledged that universities have not sustainably develop the land they occupy adding that much of the development on land is done horizontally rather than vertically leading to much expanse of land being wasted.

She bemoaned the current scenario where our universities are replete with small horizontal buildings and envisioned that in the future such structures may be pulled down to accommodate commodious buildings.

The Vice Chancellor expressed the optimism that with the level of high proficiency displayed by the Council, there is hope that Town Planning Professionals cum academics in the universities will be poised to replan our institutions of higher learning with their presence and professional advice.

In an earlier address, the National President of Town Planners, TPL Toyin Ayinde appreciated the Vice Chancellor for her gesture of hospitality and the Management of the University of Calabar for establishing the Urban and Regional Planning Department.

The National President seized the occasion to highlight the advantages of planning to an institution and said he will like to see the university do more to make the department grow massively.

He pledged to work assiduously with the university to ensure that the programme scales the oncoming accreditation exercise and encourage the institution to give attention to the creation of a robust library and building up of studios notably digitalized ones.

TPL Toyin Ayinde informed that the Council as a professional platform provides ability to solve problems and oblige an interrelationship of professionals (mix of designers) which results in inter-professional cooperation and building of future partnership.