l-r: The celebrant and wife, Dr. (Tpl) Mobolaji Abubakar Olaseni, Guest Speaker, Prof. Taibat Lawanson, representative of the Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Engr. Ismail Badmus and the Chairman, of the Lecture, Prof. Muyiwa Falaye at the fourth edition of Dr. (Tpl) Abubakar Mobolaji Olaseni annual lecture series held atthe college Yusuf Grillo Auditorium
By Mark Mayah
Academicians across the country has on Thursday, 6th February, 2025 joined their counterparts at Yaba College of Technology for the 4th edition of TPL (Dr.) Abubakar Mobolaji Olaseni Annual Lecture Series titled “Heritage at Risk: Rethinking Nigerian’s Urban Development Trajectory”.
Delivering her lecture, a renowned Leverhulme Professor of Planning and Heritage at the Liverpool School of Architecture, who is also a Professor of Urban Management and Governance, University of Lagos, Prof. Taibat Olaitan Lawanson, undertook a global panoramic view of built and cultural heritage, as intrinsic to creating the intangible value of urbanization.
Prof. Lawanson described heritage as our legacy from the past, what we live with today and what we pass on to future generations.
She frowned at poor preservation of Nigerian’s cultural resources and non-prioritization of heritage management, despite its vast potentials.
She said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expressed the view that Nigeria’s cultural heritage constitutes a substantial part of the country’s tourism resources, and if properly protected and managed, it can contribute significantly to the country’s economic development goals.
She enumerated some of the significance of our cultural heritage to include strengthening sustainable development, bringing communities together, building resilience and wellbeing among others. This she explained can play a vital role in tackling challenges.
The renowned Leverhulme Professor expressed worries over poor performance of the heritage sector in Nigeria, as most of the numerous heritage assets in Nigeria are not well protected and thereby called on those that are entrusted/custodian of our cultural resources to wake up to the call of their duties. The earlier this is done the better because certain aspects of our artefact will soon become extinct.
Earlier, in his remarks, the Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul represented by the Deputy Rector Academics, Dr. Engr. Ismail Badmus described the lecture as timely and essential, as it challenges us to critically evaluate how our cities are evolving, balancing structured planning with the organic dynamism of urban life.
He acknowledged the impact of Dr. Abubakar Mobolaji Olaseni for his immense contribution to growth and development of Yaba College of Technology, in his words, “This gathering would not be completed without celebrating the man who has inspired this annual tradition, Dr. Abubakar Mobolaji Olaseni. His unwavering dedication to urban and regional planning, as well as his mentorship to many in this field, remains a beacon of inspiration.
We are grateful for his contributions and proud to honour him this platform”.
The celebrant, TPL (Dr.) Abubakar Mobolaji Olaseni in his remarks explained that the lecture is a very stimulating one and in the conversation so far, our eyes have been opened to the significance of our cultural heritage, its challenges and the urgent needs to address them, and the way out is to have a holistic approach to urban development places the preservation of cultural heritage in the front burner.
However, he expressed his gratitude to the Rector, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul for being a visionary leader and a patriot, and equally appreciates the guest speaker Prof. Lawanson, and the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Muyiwa Falaye.
In his welcome address, the chairman organizing committee TPL Iyanda Oladimeji appreciates God in the life of TPL Dr. Olaseni and for the good works and deeds in Town and Planning Professional, most especially the academic investment in his students that made them come together annually to celebrate him.
He said just like a dream come true from the Alhaji Waheed Kadiri annual lecture, this is the fourth edition, and you will all agree with me its best to celebrate him alive, giving him his flowers than in dead. Dr. Olaseni should be assured that to the glory of God this has come to stay and shall continue to even much longer.
