Female town planners donate books, cash gifts to ABU’s urban and regional planning dept

Omeiza Bilal

In a bid to promote the town planning profession in Nigeria, the Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria (AWTPN), has donated books to the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

According to a statement signed by AWTPN’s National Secretary, Tpl Dr. Chinwe Ekwuribe, cash gifts were awarded to the best-performing male and female students in the department.

In the courtesy visit led by AWTPN National Chairman Tpl Rekiyat Ahuoiza Fache, to the university’s management led by the Vice Chancellor, Tpl Prof. Adamu Ahmed, the Association held an interactive section with 500-level students, urging them to explore career opportunities in Urban and Regional Planning, including: public sector, private sector, academia and research institutions, international organizations, disaster risk and climate resilience planning, and heritage and tourism.

Tpl Fache, also encouraged the students to pursue professional registration with the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) and the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) for capacity building and mentorship.

In his remarks, Prof Ahmed commended the AWTPN Chairman for her efforts in making the association visible pledging to address some of the department’s challenges

Also speaking, the Head of Department, Tpl Dr. Yakubu Aliyu Bununu, welcomed AWTPN and highlighted the department’s challenges, including: dwindling student enrollment, shortage of female lecturers, and need for solar panels and a shuttle bus.