TO uplift the profession and practice of architecture in Africa, a foremost producer of roofing materials, Nigerite Nigeria Limited, has struck a partnership deal with the Africa Union of Architects (AUA), for the purpose of preparing would-be architects for challenges ahead.

The partnership was the springboard for an annual competition organised for students and young architects, sponsored by Nigerite.

Believing that the status quo must be changed, it was argued that the onus of positive change that is capable of heralding a workable structure for the African society could become a reality by engaging the young practitioners.

Speaking at the unveiling of the winners of the competition, held at LACOURT Hotel, Ikoyi, last week, the President of African Union of Architects (AUA), Chief ‘Tokunbo Omisore, condemned the acceptance of foreign professionals in preparing the designs for African developmental projects, especially, in housing. He added that time had come for architects to change the template.

According to Omisore, it was time to jettison practice alien to the profession’s development.

“To assist our different governments and their leaders, we embarked on a partnership with the UN-Habitat and others on a two year programme, to provide solutions to social and mass housing for all on the continent through our continued professional development (CPD), workshop on “Beyond Housing” in Libreville, Gabon”, one of the programmes that informed the establishment of the AUA Young Architects.

According to him, these young professionals and students are to be involved in the “City Changer’s” campaign aiming at protecting the diminishing cultural values and heritage, the initiative that Nigerite is credited to be playing a pivotal role.

Omisore was of the view that AUA is out to develop African traditional architecture, enhanced with technology. “This will also help in the development of our Green Architecture and Eco-architecture that the world needs for sustainability.”

In his reaction, the Marketing Director of Nigerite, Mr. Toyin Gbede, said the partnership with AUA was not accidental, especially, the competition that took place.

According to Gbede, the competition that offered $6,000, to the successful participants was part of the firm’s corporate responsibility, by which the goal of better provision of infrastructure could be achieved.

“We believed that knowledge is power and that for us in the building environment, the best we can do is to provide support for those that are capable of facilitating the developmental goals, either through training or through the provision of equipment, which has been our concern all along”.

He also asked the Nigerian governments to take the issue of research and development seriously, as being done in Asia, Brazil and other developing countries, where an appreciable development are being witnessed.

Also commending the firm, Mike Adebamiwo, an Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, University of Lagos, noted that the department’s studio renovated by Nigerite, was one of the numerous supports that has been enjoyed from the firm.

“When this issue of competition came up, we decided to give it the necessary support and we are very happy that it went well”.

Among the 19 entrants, 10 were considered successful prize winners of a  $3000 reward package, while consolatory winners bagged $1200 each.

The winners include: Miss Adedoyin Babalola, Messrs Akinyemi Olaitan and Ordia Efosa, Charles Lipanga from Malawi, Sharon Kubusingi, Uganda, Agbaneje Ann. T., Aghwadoman Esiri, Fatade Francis O., Mellissa Kacoutie, Cote Devoir and Remilekun Oluseye,        Expressing their appreciation to the sponsor of the competition, representatives of the participants, Adeyemi Babalola and Akinyemi Olaitan, urged the government to support Nigerite’s “noble initiative.”