By Onoja Integrity.
Builder Shaibu Anthony Juma and 328 others have been sworn into the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), the topmost professional body of builders.
Speaking to the media during the 24th induction ceremony of the CORBON held at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, Shaibu emphasized the importance of professionalism in construction.
“I can tell you categorically that no one who went through the rigorous process we have undergone to be here today will compromise on delivering quality jobs in building construction. Nigerians must stop cutting corners by engaging quacks for their projects. This is the only way to put an end to the recurring tragedies of building collapses in Nigeria,” he said.
The event marked the induction of 329 newly registered builders into CORBON, the statutory body responsible for regulating the building profession in Nigeria. The Council, established in 1989 under the Builders (Registration etc.) Act CAP B. 13, LFN 2004, aims to ensure safe and sustainable buildings by enforcing professional standards.
In his welcome address, CORBON Chairman, Builder Dr. Samson Ameh Opaluwah, highlighted the Council’s efforts to address the issue of building collapse. “In recent times, we have witnessed a disturbing trend of building collapses, often resulting in tragic loss of lives and property. To tackle this, CORBON is engaging with state governors to enact and enforce planning laws that adhere to building codes and standards,” he said.
Opaluwah further charged the inductees to uphold the integrity of the profession, noting that the Honourable Minister for Housing and Urban Development had inaugurated a Registered Builders Disciplinary Tribunal to handle cases of unethical conduct.
In his opening remarks, Builder Solomon Ogunbusola, the Chairman of the occasion, reinforced the unique role of professional builders in ensuring safety. “This profession cannot be computerized or replaced by robots. No registered builder is involved in the collapses we see. These are caused by quacks,” he asserted.
Delivering the induction lecture, Dr. Oluyinka Abiodun Olumide, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, attributed building collapses to human errors and urged the inductees to practice with diligence and integrity.
Representing the Royal Father of the Day, HRH Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa II, the Attah Igala and Paramount Ruler of the Igala Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo commended CORBON’s commitment to standards. He urged the inductees to prioritize integrity in their practice and encouraged the Council to learn from ancient building techniques that have stood the test of time.
Builder Adetunji Adeniran, the Registrar of CORBON, reminded the new inductees of their responsibilities. “With your instruments of practice, you carry a burden of trust. Uphold the ethics of the profession and make choices that build your integrity. Remember, succeeding in this field requires not just skill but a hefty dose of integrity,” he admonished.
The ceremony concluded with the administration of the Oath of Professional Practice and a charge to the inductees to explore emerging opportunities in the sector. CORBON’s partnership with the Nigerian Gas Expansion Programme was highlighted as a potential avenue for builders to innovate and contribute to the nation’s energy transition.
As CORBON continues to enforce its motto, “Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Buildings,” the newly inducted builders are expected to set new standards in the profession, ensuring that the tragedies of building collapse become a thing of the past in Nigeria.
