A student of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos (UNILAG), John Favour Ayomipo emerged 1st at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) national essay and quiz competition held in Abuja.

The competition, which focused on exploring physical planning tools in building resilient human settlements against insecurity in Nigeria, featured two stages. The first stage was an essay competition in August, 2022, in which John was nominated to represent UNILAG and south-west Nigeria. The second stage was a quiz competition held on Thursday, November 10, 2022 during the 53rd National Conference and Annual General Meeting of NITP in Abuja, where he clinched the 1st prize. The student representative of the University of Jos, Peter David Danfulani, came second in the competition.

Narrowing his submissions down to urban crime and insecurity in the country, Favour canvassed for the integration and implementation of crime prevention through environmental design, development control, urban acupuncture, land use planning, planning laws and standards. He advanced that these factors would manage and regulate development, as well as maintain society’s perfect health.

According to him, “planning resilient human settlements responding to climate change and insecurity deserves an integrated framework that consists of nature, man, society and networks. This will in turn produce a conducive, aesthetically pleasing, functional, safe and, more importantly, healthy environment for all the inhabitants of Nigeria.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade, T. Ogunsola, FAS, on behalf of the University Management, Students and Staff congratulates John Favour Ayomipo on his achievement, and for representing the University of Lagos in good light.