Architects Registration Council of Nigeria has advised the newly elected President of the Nigerian Institution of Architects, Enyi Ben-Eboh, to use his privileged position to lift architecture while calling on the promotion of love, cooperation among Nigerian architects.

The council assured the members it was always willing to give required backing as at when due.

According to a statement by the council, the President, Oladipo Ajayi, who was conferred a distinguished alumni award by Obafemi Awolowo University, made the call in Lagos on the sidelines of a formal launching of Great Ife Advancement Foundation.

Ajayi said, “I feel great and I thank God that the university has deemed it necessary to recognize and reward me this way. This is one of the highest honour your alma mater can bestow on you.

“This shows that the university has also recognized the impact I have made and still making on humanity, my profession and particularly in ARCON. So, with this recognition, it is evident that architects and architecture in Nigeria are rapidly growing and expanding in leap and bounds.”

Ajayi called on all architects to submit themselves to regulation, adding that such would make architecture in the country to be more respected and rewarding for all.

He said although he had been using the opportunity to urge Nigerian architects to stand out and be different both in their professional calling and life generally, he said the recognition through the award was a clarion call for him to do more.

“I will continue to advise all architects, particularly the younger ones to work harder and make noticeable impacts in their respective universities. Indeed, this award is a clarion call for me to do more for my profession and the entire humanity, and by the grace of God, I will continue to use every opportunity I have to enhance these courses,” he added.

Speaking earlier, OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, said that over the 60 years of its existence, many people had willingly saddled themselves with the onerous responsibilities of using their resources to assist the university in various ways, thereby promoting the rapid development of the institution and also uplifting the society and humanity at large.

He added that sixty of such individuals were identified for the honour as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the university.