ADDRESS BY THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AZ GAMBO AM GSS psc ensp (RSA) MTM MNIM FCIS MIPM FIIPS FCAI SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE 51ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND GENERAL MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF BUILDING ON 23-27 AUGUST 2021
PROTOCOL
1. It is a great privilege to be invited as the Special Guest of Honour at the 51st Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Building tagged “Eko Akete Builders Conference”. I would like to start by thanking the Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness yet another Conference and General Meeting of the NIOB. To our esteemed invited special guests and friends of the Institute, you are most highly welcomed. I urge you to share your wealth of experiences with us at the Conference to enable robust interactions. I must therefore appreciate the President of the NIOB for a job well done for convening the Conference for rigorous and fruitful discussions as well as deliberations for the next 4 days or thereabout.
2. It would be recalled that the objective of the NIOB is to promote the science and practice of building technology, building maintenance, building surveying, building production/construction management and project management including all research and publication of the results for public benefit. Based on this, the Institute as a matter of duty meets yearly to re-evaluate ever changing processes in order to meet the set goals and objectives.
3. This year’s Conference will mark another important milestone in the NIOB’s resolve to constantly advance and evolve systems, ideas and technologies for moving Nigeria’s building industry forward. Therefore, I humbly wish to use this occasion as a personal opportunity to share my views on the theme of the Conference ‘Advancing Technologies System and Standards for Sustainable Building Construction in Nigeria’.
4. The World today, in a more strategic consideration, has been miniaturised by technology, as globalisation is impacting on our societies at a great alarm. I am not surprised that the Institute is leveraging technology to advance its course. In the developing world, the concept of sustainable building construction is fast becoming the order of the day and our nation, Nigeria must key into the process if the teeming population is to be catered for and sheltered. Therefore, it is important at this crucial period in our lives that a topic like this be discussed in order to enhance our systems with appropriate technologies for fast and efficient delivery of sustainable building constructions.
5. In Nigeria, I observe most building constructions still focus on usage of conventional sandcrete blocks method, while the usage of Compressed Earth Brick (CEB) as practised in some places like South Africa is not embraced. This technology could be a basis for achieving the aim of this Conference. I am happy to state that the Nigerian Navy has adopted CEB technology and is being used for the building of NN Barracks. For instance, the NN Barracks at Atimbo, Kuje and Lokoja were built using CEB technology. Another issue bothering my mind is that Nigeria is tending towards green field development while abandoning brown field development. Brown fields most times have existing infrastructure which often does not come with green field development. These 2 issues, hopefully at this gathering, would agitate our minds for further deliberations and considerations.
6. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, let me say that there is no better time than now for this Conference. I am indeed certain that having attended this Conference, you would be better positioned to add value to the Nigeria Building industry particularly in advancing the building construction industry in Nigeria to the next level. On this note, may I once again appreciate the President, the Executive and the entire Members of the Nigerian Institute of Building for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts with you all. I wish you all a wonderful 51st Annual Conference and general meeting as well as rich and rewarding deliberations ahead. Thank you for your attention, God bless and Onward Together.
AZ GAMBO
Vice Admiral
August 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff