By Nitoni Osain, Yenagoa
The Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island Bayelsa, has held the First Membership Induction, into the Nigerian Institute of Building.
The induction ceremony took place on Friday, at the Architectural Conference Hall, Faculty of Environmental Sciences NDU, with the Theme: Building The Future: Innovating, Integrating, And Inspiring in the Construction 4.Era.
In his welcome address, Dr Christopher Belonwu, Acting Head of Department Building, said it is a day of fulfilment, reflection and profound joy. “As Head of Department witnessing the induction of our graduates into the Graduate Cadre of the Nigerian Institute of Building.
According to him: “The Department of Building was officially kicked off in the 2019/2020 academic session with a clear vision: to raise competent ethical and industry-ready building professionals who would contribute meaningfully to national development and global best practices in the building environment.
“Like every worthwhile venture, the journey was not without challenges. We started with modest facilities, high expectations and an unshakable belief in what the department could become. Today that belief has been validated.
“This induction ceremony marks the fruition of years of hard work, resilience and determination by our students who dared to dream by our lecturers who laboured tirelessly to impart knowledge and character and by the University management whose support made this dream sustainable.
“To our pioneer graduates and those who have followed, you are not just product of this department; you are it’s ambassadors, its proof of concept and it’s living legacy.
“Being inducted into the Graduate Cadre of the Nigerian Institute of Building is more than a ceremonial rite. It is a formal recognition of your readiness to take your place in the professional community of builders.
“It signifies that you have met the academic and ethical thresholds required to being your professional journey. With this honour comes responsibility.
“The responsibility to uphold the standard of the profession, to practice with integrity, and to continuously to uphold the standards of the profession, to practice with integrity and to continuously develop yourselves in knowledge and skill,” he said.
He them not to see today as the end of their journey, but as the beginning of a greater one and commit themselves to lifelong learning, to seek mentorship and to embrace innovation, and to uphold ethics above convenience.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor (VC) Niger Delta University (NDU) Prof. Allen Agih, said today is a very important day as they have produced the first builders of the University.
Represented by Prof. Sylvester Ebigbagha, Dean Faculty of Environmental Sciences NDU, he said they are operating the best standard fellowing the accreditation of the course.
He commended the lecturers and the professional bodies and the students who are ready to be sold as builders. He equally urged them to ensure that they grow in the job.
In his remarks, Ahmed Baba Ahmed, President Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) commended NDU for the training of the students and the knowledge gained as graduates inducted into the Nigerian Institute of Building.
He urged them to be in there best in the building professional, and also to go for innovation, research to always checkmate and develop themselves to progress in the profession and to always attend NIOB events to gain more knowledge.
The keynote speaker Bldr. Akinola Bammeke former National Publicity Secretary of NIOB, said that there are a lot of opportunities in the building industry.
He said for one to go far their must be a force applied, that the amount of force matters to them to go far in there profession and must be focused, and avoid whatever that will hold them back in developing themselves.
