AKURE– The Ogun state commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl Odunlami, Olusoga Olatunji FNITP has received an award of excellence from the College of Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB).
In the award letter addressed to the commissioner and signed by the College Secretary, Bldr. Adelaja Adekanmbi FNIOB, Tpl Odunlami was singled out for his contribution and recognition in the promotion of National Building Code domestication and adoption of best Building production management process with a view to ensure safety, sustainability and decorum in the built Environment.
The award was presented by the National President of NIOB Bldr. Prof. Yohanna D. Izam on Wednesday, 17th August 2022 at the Dome International culture and Event Centre, Igbatoro Road, Akure, Ondo at the induction of 2022 Class of Fellows of the Institute. The Award was received on his behalf by Tpl. Ogun Kolawole (General manager, Planning permit Ministry of Physical Planning)
The awardee, TPl. Odunlami, Olusoga Olatunji was born on 6th August 1957. He obtained a B.Sc. (Hons) Geography from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1980 and Master of Urban and Regional Planning, MURP, of the same university in 1983 after his National Youth Service in the old Cross River State from 1980-1981.
He later read law at the University of Lagos, Nigeria from 1998-2005, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in November 2006. Between September 1983 and March 1985, he taught at Baptist Grammar School Idi-Ishin, Ibadan.
In April 1985, he joined the Lagos State Civil Service as a Town Planning Officer, served in various capacities and rose to become Director Town Planning Services in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. In December 2012, he was appointed as a Permanent Secretary in the State Public Service and served in the Ministry of Housing where he retired in November 2015.
He has 30 years broad spectrum experience in the formulation and implementation of public sector
policies, projects and programmes in physical planning, urban development, environmental management and housing in the service of Lagos State Government. He also had a 3-year stint in private consultancy practice as managing partner.
He has been a TOPREC Registered Town Planner since 1990 (RTP 170) and, a member (MNITP 437) and later fellow (FNITP 148) of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners since 1987 and 2004
respectively. He served the institute in different capacities both at the national and state chapter levels and was the Lagos State representative in the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria.
He has attended many training programmes, conferences, summits and professional development courses in
housing development, urban and regional planning, urban development and management.
He coordinated the presentation/exhibition by Lagos State Government as part of the Nigerian
Government Representation/Delegation to the Africities 4 Summit and Exhibition in Nairobi Kenya in 2006.
He was the representative of Lagos State Government at the Un-Habitat First Stakeholders Meeting on Business Partnership for Sustainable Urbanisation / Habitat Business Expo and the 21st
General Council Meeting of the Un-Habitat in Nairobi Kenya in 2007.
In 2008, he represented Lagos
State Government at the Cities Alliance/City of Sao Paolo Stakeholders Conference on Slum Upgrade in Sao Paolo Brazil. He also represented Lagos State and coordinated Lagos State
exhibition/presentation at the 5th World Urban Forum in Rio de Janeiro Brazil in 2010.
He supervised the redevelopment of the old Broad Street Prison Lagos Nigeria, into ‘Lagos Freedom Park’ a public
park from August 2009-October 2010. He also supervised the redevelopment of Tejuosho Urban Market Yaba Lagos Nigeria between April 2009 and December 2012.
On November, 2nd 2019 TPL. Odunlami, was appointed by His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State has The Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban and Physical Planning. He was later appointed on January 10th 2020 by Prince Dapo Abiodun Governor of Ogun State as the Honourable Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, a position which he holds till date.
Olusoga Olatunji In recognition of his contributions to his profession and the society he has been honoured with several awards both secular and non-secular.
TPl Odunlami is passionate about his duties, loves people and enjoys mentoring. He is widely travelled and loves adventures, photography, watching documentaries and listening to the News and all genre of music.
He got married to Adetutu Comfort in 1984 and both have three boys, Olutumininu, Olutetisimi and Olutomilayo and a grandchild Olaoluwatooni.
He is the non-executive Chairman of Homescapes Limited, a multidisciplinary urban planning and environmental
management advisory and advocacy services and facilities management firm.
He was also the Principal Partner in Soga Odunlami and Company, a legal services firm.
The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN was earlier conferred the honorary Fellowship Award of the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB) at the ongoing annual general meeting and National conference of the Institute. The Fellowship is the highest grade of membership of the institute.
