Olusegun Ariyo
Olusegun Ariyo Pays Tributes To Town Planner Olawale Yomitan, Director at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development As he Celebrates his Birthday in Style
Not Many Know Tpl. Olawale Yemitan’s pedigree as an environmental planner. His leadership while in the ministry started as a technical officer way back over twenty years where he had etched his footprint in the sand of the nation’s roots on the built environment as one of its leaders. The Nigeria Institute of Town Planners had thrust on his shoulders the responsibility of being a Major actor and one of its prime specialists in the many interfaces on matters that have something to do with the built environment in Lagos state
There’s no gainsaying that Tpl Yemitan has marked out that understanding as one who brings professional solution to planning issues wherever the needs demand, his resilience, straight talks and intrepidity won him the heart of those in need of planning solutions.
As a mark of reciprocity, he was nominated as the senior special assistant to the Commissioner of Physical Planning Dr, Salako, while as staff of the ministry with a deluge of experience which set the template for the engaging credential that now marks him out as a golden professional.
His interest in managing the built environment remained unflinching after many successful interventions that have brought safer lives to many inhabitants in Lagos state.
Tpl Olawale Yomitan had for years served meritoriously in various sensitive positions and in different public intuitions within the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development with both agencies which he’s currently serving, including being a director at the ministry in Lagos secretariat, district officer, at Lagos state Physical planning permit Authority (LASPPPA). Always a high flyer through a dint of hard work and the grace of God
Fortuitous circumstances took him through the high levels of decision-making and policy implantation. From District officer of the Alimosho office to Ikotun Igando and presently, Egbe idimu District office. He applied himself scrupulously to the tents and ethics of the service.
Some features ensure inclusiveness in physical planning where negotiating issues specific remains a very important priority in managing stakeholders in every given environment.
Egbe idimu today under Tpl Yemita’s watch had recorded impressive gains in the scientific ordering of land use in all consideration fields of human endeavor. Is it site standard or access standard within its jurisdiction? Egbe idimu settlers within his jurisdiction presently have a reason to appreciate one whose creative thinking has secured their settlement against conflict of uses, and encroachment of development with strict monitoring and evaluation.
He ensures Processing of approval goes seamlessly according to the laid down rules the state government had given as directives
He once told this writer that there is never a time when the file will be allowed fallow, ‘’hear him, we do the needful here, and following the THEMES agenda of the Lagos state government under the leadership of his Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, and every of its policy directives on safer lives has been strictly implemented and continuing>..
Tpl Yomitan has also ensured all complaints are treated with utmost priority, and conscious efforts have also been made in advocacy avoiding people of the district from building wrongly instead harmed with the right information needed in embarking on their building approval with ease.
Perhaps, the most popular reward from his district has been better feedback from the inhabitants, appreciating him for quick action when the need arises.
Tpl Olawale Yomitan has extended his Midas touch in both the institute he belongs to and his professional landscape. His leadership has made a prolific impact in terms of peer review and experience sharing. He reckoned the fact that spatial arrangement defiles logic.
The people of the Egbe community and Lagos state as a whole will continue to appreciate the potentials that exist in the Egbe settlement.
There are no lame Dock efforts. They are Real marks of intellect and courage. As he trudges on, here’s a wish for a happy birthday to the man who prefers to be called and known as a qualified Town Planner
-Olusegun Ariyo is a Town Planner, Geographer and Qualified Journalist.
