News

Interior Designers Urge Stakeholders To Embrace Multigenerational Futuristic Approach

Published

4 months ago

June 3, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) has said there is the need to safeguard the future of interior design in Nigeria, by embracing a blend of multigenerational and futuristic aesthetics and designs to drive inclusion.

President of the association, Dr Jennifer Chukwujekwu, stated this at an event to celebrate the 2024 World Interiors Day, on Friday in Lagos.

The IDAN President challenged members and the Design community to be more intentional about their Design Principles and even as she said their work can used as initiators of change in society, through design advocacy.

She asserted that stakeholders across the interior design ecosystem had the unique privilege and duty to shape an environment that would foster connection, inclusivity and well-being.

According to her, designs must go beyond the present, anticipate the needs of future generations, as well as honour the legacy of those who lived in the past.

Naijablitznews.com reports that May 25, has been set aside annually to commemorate ‘World Interiors Day’, and this year, the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (I.F.I), selected the theme “The Growing G

enerational Gap: Improved Multi-Generational Future”.

According to her, this year’s theme is calling on designers’ to create spaces that would reflect aesthetical aspirations and meet the functional needs of people across all ages.

She said: While trends come and go, the essence of good design is timeless, and we should strive to create spaces that blend contemporary style with classic elements, ensuring they remain relevant and appealing across generations.

“We must embrace inclusive design principles, ensuring that our spaces are accessible and welcoming to people of all ages and abilities.

“This includes thoughtful considerations for mobility, sensory needs and comfort.

“Our designs should celebrate cultural heritage and diversity, reflecting the rich tapestry of our society”.

Chukwujekwu said that by using traditional elements and local craftsmanship, designers would create spaces that would resonate with a sense of identity and continuity.

She therefore, emphasized the need for stakeholders across the interior design ecosystem to embrace sustainability practices and integrate technology in envisioning the future of interior design.

“The integration of technology in our designs must be thoughtful and forwardthinking; from smart home systems to adaptive lighting and climate control, we need to ensure our spaces are equipped to evolve with technological advancements.

“Let us commit to continuing our professional development, staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies, and always striving for excellence in our craft.

“Together, we can design a future that bridges generations, creating environments that nurture, inspire and endure”, the IDAN President said.

In her address, Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, emphasized the need for stakeholders to commit to designing with empathy, sensitivity and inclusivity.

She said there is the need to create spaces that would meet the functional needs of all ages, inspire and connect people across generations.

According to her, this would help create of a future where generations would lead, learn and trade together, enriching communities.

“We are united by shared love for design and our collective commitment to fostering an environment that showcases the richness of diverse generational perspectives, using our creative talents to bridge the gaps that exist between generations.

“By doing so, we can create more harmonious and inclusive communities where everyone feels valued and understood.

“The theme of today’s event points to an inherent challenge: the communication gap between different age groups which can lead to misunderstanding, isolation or loss of valuable knowledge and experience.

“However, design has a pathway to address and overcome these challenges, and in creating spaces that encourage dialogue and interaction, we can facilitate greater understanding and cooperation between generations, ensuring that wisdom of the past is not lost,” adeleye said.

The Treasurer of IDAN, Titi Fowora, said that the association was determined to be a steward of the environment by advancing the built environment in trans-generational design practices.

“The idea is to leave the environment better that one met it; hence, the importance of using materials that are sustainable, eco-friendly, recyclable and reusable.

“We have to be as green as possible, as forward-thinking as possible, and design not just for ourselves but design for the future so that people do not feel the need to constantly reinvent the wheel or re-design,” she said.

Also, Professor of Architecture at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Dolapo Amole, that there was the need to fill the gaps in design created by generational differences to drive harmony, productivity, innovation and a strong community.

Prof. Amole said: “In design, bridging the gap is understanding the differences, adopting technology, providing variety of spaces, amenities and opportunities and an inclusive process to preserve the future of design”.

Also the Association’s Public Relations Officer, Andrew Adeniji encouraged all practicing Interior Design Professionals to get registered and join IDAN while listing out some of the vital benefits of joining the association as the sole global voice and authority for Interior professionals in Nigeria.

Naijablitznews.com reports that this year’s theme is a call to action on issues such as accessibility, inclusion, diversity, wellness and safety.

It is also to showcase their commitment to the profession and the importance of design in the settings and surroundings of homes, institutions and communities.

The 2024 IFI World Interiors Day had in attendance professionals, experts, and enthusiasts to acknowledge, uplift, and applaud design for interiors and its influence.

News

Ecoparl: Speaker Ibrahima Reaffirms Parliament’s Dedication to Regional Unity

Published

4 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Rt. Honourable Memounatou Ibrahima, restated that the parliament remains committed to ensuring the unity and integration of the people within the subregion.

According to Speaker Ibrahima, the Parliament will continue to use parliamentary diplomacy to engage countries that are considering leaving the bloc due to political challenges, such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, as a result of military coups they experienced.

The Speaker stated this when she led a delegation of the ECOWAS Parliament on a working visit to the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday in Abuja.

She highlighted that while countries may break formal cooperation, the people of the region remain interconnected, adding that the Parliament, as representatives of these people, will work to maintain the unity.

Ibrahima expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Senate for supporting ECOWAS by providing necessary facilities for their plenary sessions, even as she discussed the socio-political challenges facing the region, as well as how parliamentarians can contribute more to address these issues.

She said: “We strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, because we know that the countries might break cooperation but we cannot separate the population. The population always live together and we as representatives of the people, we are doing our best so that this living together will continue to be reality and even made better.

“We came to thank him for all the facilities that the senate has been providing to the ECOWAS Parliament to facilitate the holding of our sessions here in Abuja. We also discussed on the socio-political situation in the community. We also discussed on the ways parliamentarians can make more contributions on the various issues and the challenges that we are experiencing in ECOWAS”.

The President of the Senate,

Senator Akpabio, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Barau Jubril, commended Ibrahima’s leadership and her efforts in using parliamentary diplomacy to foster cooperation within ECOWAS, especially in light of the challenges posed by countries considering an exit from the bloc.

He noted that since Speaker Meimounatou assumed office, she has deployed enormous parliamentary diplomacy to bear not only on the level of cooperation with institutions in the region but also on those that have expressed the wish to quit the regional block.

Naijablitznews.com reports that Senator Jubril is the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

He said: “Since she was elected the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, she has been up and doing in terms of giving leadership to the parliament. It is in that regard that she is here trying to chart a better course for the parliament to make sure that she brings parliamentary diplomacy to bear in terms of our cooperation not only with those who are within the community as we speak but also even those who are attempting to leave the community.

“It is in that respect that she is here, and what she is doing is commendable. She has come to strengthen her idea and initiative of making the parliament stronger and more effective”.

News

Air Force Begins Moving Electoral Materials For Edo Guber Election

Published

6 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has began airlifting the sensitive election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin, Edo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.

The operation is part of the NAF’s efforts to ensure the timely and secure delivery of materials necessary for a smooth electoral process.

This development reinforces the collaboration between NAF and INEC to facilitate logistics and ensure a peaceful election in Edo State.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, had previously reiterated NAF’s commitment to providing airlift support for the swift movement of electoral materials during a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

This airlift operation is a crucial aspect of NAF’s constitutional responsibility to provide Military Aid to Civil Authority, underscoring the force’s dedication to supporting democratic processes in Nigeria. With the election just days away, the NAF’s timely intervention will help ensure the successful conduct of the governorship elections in Edo State.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had earlier accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters in the state and force them into hiding ahead of September 21 governorship election.

Obaseki, who made the allegation when a delegation led by the former Head of State, Abdusalam Abubakar, met with him to get the governor and his party to sign peace accord, said that the IGP had made nonsense of his (Obaseki’s) role as the chief security officer of the state.

The governor had said that the police chief obtained a warrant to arrest 60 members and supporters of PDP in Edo and that the IGP sent an armed “gang” of policemen who invaded the state, attacked PDP members, shot at a local government chairman and arrested 10 persons who are currently being detained in Abuja without charges.

Asked by the former head of state if his party would sign the peace accord, Obaseki said, “The person who is supposed to enforce the peace accord is now an active participant in creating a destructive environment.

“We are now in a situation where from the Inspector General’s office, there are armed gang policemen who came into Edo State, invaded, arrested and took away PDP members.

News

“Dancing gives me abundant joy and peace of mind”-Gov Adeleke

Published

6 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has given reasons why he loves dancing.

The ‘Dancing Governor’, as he is fondly called, revealed this on Wednesday while responding to a tweet on X.

An X user, @Iwogoke, while praising the governor, stated that Adeleke has been busy fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of Osun State, while his political opponents believe he is only good at dancing.

Iwogoke tweeted, “I’m not flattering you, Your Excellency, your opponents think you can only dance but while they are busy shouting and calling you ‘Dancing Governor’, you are busy fulfilling your electoral promises to the people.”

Responding to the tweet via his verified X account, Adeleke explained that he loves dancing because it brings him joy.

Speaking further on his love for dancing, Adeleke highlighted that while dancing brings him immense happiness, his greater fulfilment comes from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun.

Outlining his administration’s efforts to enhance the state’s infrastructure, he noted that primary health centre rehabilitation is underway in at least 200 out of the 332 wards across Osun State, adding that road construction projects are also progressing in every local government area.

He wrote, “Dancing gives me joy, but delivering on my electoral promises and providing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Osun gives me even greater joy. Rehabilitation of primary health centers is ongoing in at least 200 out of 332 wards, and road construction is progressing in every Local Government!”