Information Minister Calls for Preservation of Architectural Heritage 

Samuel Okocha, Abuja

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Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged the National Institute of Architects to lead the revival of the country’s architectural heritage, saying it symbolises the nation’s greatness.

The Minister appealed during a courtesy visit by the Institute in his office in Abuja, where he spoke on the need to educate Nigerians about the iconic and historic buildings around them.

He cited the example of the National Orientation Agency’s headquarters, which used to be the office of the late President Shehu Shagari, and said many Nigerians were unaware of such facts.

Idris also stressed the importance of the right attitude and orientation among the people, saying they are the most significant cultural assets of any nation. He lamented the disrespect for national monuments, icons, and symbols that define the country, such as the flag, the coat of arms, and the passport.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prioritised national orientation in the Ministry’s new mandate and expressed his desire to change the narrative.

The Institute’s President, Mobolaji Adeniyi, expressed the institution’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry to provide enlightenment and awareness campaigns on the issues of building collapse, substandard materials, quackery, and architectural excellence. She also offered the Institute’s expertise in building and preserving iconic buildings in the country and the capital.

She noted that the Institute has played a vital role in the nation’s life through its architectural objectives for 64 years.

 

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