The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) on Saturday celebrated a renowned Nigerian architect, Chief Donald-Arinze Nwandu popularly known as Oba, as he clocked 80.
The institute celebrated Nwandu at the 7th Arc. Frank-Nwabuora Mbanefo Memorial Lecture and NIA Quarterly Dinner organised by the institute on Saturday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwandu is a Board of Trustees (BOT) member of the African Union of Architects.
NAN also reports that Nwandu, a Fellow of NIA represented NIA in many international conferences/seminar and later a Board member of the Commonwealth Association of Architects and International Union of Architects.
Speaking at the event, the National President, NIA, Mrs Mobolaji Adeniyi, expressed gratitude to God for sustaining Nwandu up till 80 years and wished him well.
Extolling the octogenarian for serving the institute both at Nigeria and International cycles wholeheartedly, Adeniyi said, “I’m very proud to be here this night and on behalf of NIA, I wish to congratulate you on reaching the 8th floor.
“I saw you on the golf course earlier today, you played like you were just 45 and by the grace of God, you’ll still play golf at 90 with good health, joy, peace, and fulfillment”.
She thanked NIA Enugu Chairman, Mr Emeka Nwankwo, for initiating the event as well as other states chairmen and members of NIA for attending the programme.
A member of the institute, Mr Moses Ajah, in a goodwill message, described Nwandu as an “elder statesman” who committed himself to course of promoting the institute using his personal resources and had not failed his chapter in Enugu.
“I appreciate God for his life and I pray him sustain him to continue to be a shinning light,” he prayed.
Earlier in a welcome address, the NIA state chairman, Nwankwo, said that Nwandu would be remembered for the revitalisation of the Institute’s member participation in Professional International Conferences and aiding in hosting of such Conferences in Nigeria.
This, he said, the celebrant did during his reign as Chairman of the Institute’s International Affairs Committee.
He said that architectural educators would also remember him for inspiring the Nwandu family to establish an endowment of an Architectural Research Centre at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in memory of their late father.
The Chairman added that Nwandu showed magnanimity in taking up the challenge to solely furnish the centre.
He highlighted that Nwandu’s professional career had to his credit, various outstanding and creative works in Master Planning, Design and Construction, channeled through his Concept Design Group and Omni Environmental Services.
“With thanks to the Almighty God, today we are playing host to Seventh edition of the Arc. Frank Nwabuora Mbanefo Memorial Lecture, and in the wisdom of the Lecture Planning Committee, they proposed and executed a documentary focus on the “Life and Works of Oba Nwandu”.
Nwankwo explained that the memorial lecture was an annual event of NIA, Enugu State Chapter used to immortalise the efforts of one of Nigeria’s foremost Architects, Mr Frank Mbanefo and also to expand the knowledge base of professionals, especially in the architecture profession.
Responding, Nwandu said he was overwhelmed by the number of people that attended the event and the honour accorded to him by NIA.
He said that such honour was only given to the late former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme and Mbanefo, during their birthdays
“This honour has stepped me up to that ladder that I am rubbing shoulders with the vice president and Frank Mbanefo I must say I’m also very grateful and thank you NIA Enugu for organising this,” he said.
NAN reports that highlights of the event include a golf tournament, 30-minute documentary on the life and works of Nwandu, dance, dinner.
