EFFORTS to grow a younger generation of town planners with the capability of meeting the challenges of sprawling development in cities may soon yield fruit, with the launch of the Young Planners Forum (YPF) by members of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Town Planners (NITP), recently.The YPF was formally inaugurated at the 2011 annual general meeting of the body in Lagos, where the chapter Chairman, Mr. Makinde Ogunleye displayed some optimism on the prospects of the body to chart a new course and being more proactive. 'Our profession has put so much challenge on us, as a single planning decision tends to reverberates with many consequences.'In Lagos State, we cannot afford to be silent when we need to speak. If the goal is to promote healthy human settlement, then we need to search for more knowledge, in view of recent development, particularly with the dynamics in the global setting,' Ogunleye said.The chapter has the largest number of members in the country with over 250 town planners. ' The chapter is set to achieve more landmark as it would seek to reach communities in Lagos State within the gospel of urban and regional planning. It has intensifies efforts in reaching out to stakeholders and key players in the sector in its bid to improve the quality of the environment.The Protem Chairman, Mr. Lookman Oshodi said that the vision was to inculcate professionalism and learning into young planners. 'These young planners, no doubt, are the future of our cities. They have the potentials to either create sustainable cities or destructive cities, depending on where their orientation lies. It is on these backgrounds that the YPF is aiming to explore the strength and vibrancy of young people, not only to positively advance the town planning profession, but to rejuvenate our cities structure and make them liveable for all classes of citizens.'Oshodi said: 'The YPF will complement the efforts of the NITP towards bringing the required change to our environment through collaboration in knowledge sharing and offering full assistance in areas that required our intervention. As a new subsidiary entity to Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Lagos Chapter, it is obvious that we will approach our senior colleagues on many issues and clarification of grey areas from time to time.'The chapter also elected new executive council members for the 2011/2012. They are Makinde Ogunleye (chairman), Ayo Adediran (vice chairman), Nathaniel Adegboye (general secretary), Bukola Olunloye (assistant general secretary), Iyabo Olufesobi (treasurer) (Mrs. Yemisi Alaka (financial secretary), Bola Raheem (public relations secretary) and Oyelola Koleti Olayinka (auditor). The ex-officio members are Mr. Nike Laja, Kamoru Ogunfowora, Moses Ogunleye and Adesina Shobowale.
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