Profile

Tpl. Mrs. Catherine Kehinde George was born at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria on June 14, 1948 as fourth child to professional parents both of Ijebu-Ode lineage: Pastor Surveyor Adebusola Sogunro – Pitan (of Alebiosu Fowora Dynasty) and Mrs. Oladunni Sogunro-Pitan (of Ipaye Dynasty). Her father became the first Licensed Surveyor in Ijebu Province, Western Region, Nigeria, in 1936; her mother was a retired teacher and later a confectioner.

She is an alumnus of St. Augustine’s Catholic Primary School Ijebu-Ode, Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode, (1958 -1963); and Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, (1964). She commenced her working career at Ikeja Area Planning Authority, Western Region, Nigeria in April 1965, when she was employed as a student-in-training and won a sponsorship award for her training programme at The Technical College (now The Polytechnic), Ibadan, graduating in December 1967. She obtained the Diploma in Town Planning in December 1967, at The Technical College Ibadan, where she was an outstanding student.

She became a foundation staff of Lagos State Civil Service at Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, and completed her post graduate Diploma in Town and Regional Planning with Honours at The University of Melbourne, Australia in December 1972, becoming the first female Nigerian Professional Town Planner. She was inducted to the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame at Abuja in Nov. 2007 as the first female African Town Planner.

Between 1973 and 1979, she was Project Planner at Lagos State Development and Property Corporation on the most feasible route for the 28km. Lagos Metro Line (1981 – 1982). Consultant Planner on Housing Estate in Ajaokuta -Technocrete Limited (1982 – 1985); and on University of Uyo Master Plan (1993). In 1986, she went into academics, starting at Lagos State Polytechnic (Jan – June 1986) and later, Yaba College of Technology (July 1986 – Sept. 2000), where she became Head of Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning (1990 – 1992). She pioneered audio-visual teaching methods with video-recording of field work and studio presentations. She served as external examiner/moderator to Ogun State Polytechnic (1990 – 1991); Kaduna Polytechnic (1992 -1993);The Polytechnic, Ibadan (1998 – 1999); University of Lagos (2001 – 2002);Yaba College of Technology (2002 – 2004).

Tpl. Mrs. C. Kehinde George is the first female Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP)1987 and the first female African Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute of Britain (RTPI) 1990. The pioneer and first female Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Planning Authority (1998 – 1999), and first female Chairman of Lagos State Chapter of NITP (1998 – 2000). An elected Member of the National Executive Council of NITP, 1987 – 1988, and 1990 – 1992; Vice – Chairperson Yaba College of Technology Chapter of Women in Technical Education (WITED) 1996 – 2000; Pioneer Chairman of Lagos State Urban Forum for Slum Upgrading (Lagos Metropolitan Development Project), 2001-2002: Member NITP/Town Planners Registration Council (TOPREC) Examination Board (1998– 2000). She teaches as a resource person on the Masters Programme in Urban and Regional Planning at Lagos State University, 2011 to 2014. She is a member of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild June, 2012 to date.

As Director at Spectroplan Konsult Ltd.(Architects and Town Planning Consultants) – her major works as Director/Head of Planning Division included consultation for oil and gas industry; Lead Planner on Galadimawa District Plan, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (2001-2006); Lead Planner on Odonla Housing Scheme, Lagos State (2000-2002); and Co-project Director, Ikorodu Master Plan (2008-2010) Inception to Draft Final Stage.

Tpl. Mrs. George, was pioneer Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Planning Authority (1998 – 1999); first female Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (1998 – 2000); Vice – Chairperson of Yaba College of Technology Chapter of Women in Technical Education (WITED) 1996 – 2000; Member NITP / TOPREC Examination Board (1998 – 2000); Pioneer Chairman Lagos State Urban Forum for Slum Upgrading 2001 – 2003.

She was external examiner/moderator in Department of Urban and Regional Planning–Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta 1990 – 1991, Kaduna Polytechnic 1992 -1993, The Polytechnic, Ibadan 1998 – 1999, University of Lagos 2001 – 2002, Yaba College of Technology 2002 – 2004.

Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (A voluntary professional guild of the building construction industry with the goal of achieving total elimination of building collapse in Nigeria) 2013 – 2015.

She was a recipient of several honours and awards, some of which are: –

• March 2, 2011, as a “Distinguished Professional” by the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in recognition and appreciation of her invaluable contribution to the Built Environment Profession, particularly in Urban and Regional Planning.

• July 28, 2011 Induction into Construction Industry Hall of Fame by Construction Engineering Digest Forum at Abuja.

• Award for Professional Excellence in the practice of Town Planning received from Ijebu Professional Excellence Foundation on May 17, 2012 at Ijebu-Ode

• ‘Distinguished Patron Award’ by Afribaby Initiative on March 26, 2013.

• ‘Award of Appreciation’ from Inner Wheel Club of Matori on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

• ‘Recognition Award’ from Women in Technical Education (WITED), Yaba College of Technology Chapter on Dec. 11, 2013.

• Merit Appreciation Award as most outstanding female Town Planner from Nigerian Institute of Town Planners on the Occasion of the Institute’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations at Abuja, Nigeria on November 3, 2016.

As Director, Libro-Gem Ltd, she is responsible for continuous research, writing, editing and publishing of articles and publications. A prolific writer, she has made numerous presentations at local, national and international professional fora. She authored The Challenges of Urbanisation in Nigerian Urban Centres: THE LAGOS MEGA-CITY SITUATION–A Town Planner’s Perspective, 2009; Wedding Message, 2010. Basic Principles and Methods of Urban and Regional Planning, 4^th Edition 2015, Urbanisation and the Lagos Mega City 2016.

“BASIC PRINCIPLES & METHODS OF URBAN & REGIONAL PLANNING” 4^TH Edt.

The book is educative and informative and will be of great use for foreign nations, foreign universities, government agencies, to consultants in the transportation and construction industry, and as reference to administrators; because of the synergy between land use and transportation, land value and development and economic stability.

The book has been edited by Nigerian academia and professionals and is recommended text for Environmental Science Students in tertiary institutions. This book discusses on more principles of Urban and Regional Planning, with examples from the country’s situation; some projects I have worked on; and also on some urban environmental problems such as urban sprawl, traffic congestion and increased demand for public transportation in Lagos Mega-City.

“URBANISATION AND THE LAGOS MEGA-CITY”

The second new publication; “Urbanisation and the Lagos Mega-City” captures the phenomenal growth of Lagos, the attendant environmental challenges and efforts made to address the issues. As Lagos Mega-City expanded, the land use dictated the necessity for transport routes to and from different locations. Transport and demand for movement is inextricably linked to land use and land use activities. The book also highlights the potentials of investment and tourism in Lagos Mega-City. It will be an asset to foreign missions, investors, private and public libraries and for corporate bodies, professionals and for government offices as references.

As a Lagos State resident, and having lived in Lagos from 1965-till date: the author has witnessed a greater part of the phenomenal growth of Lagos in her 45 years of Town Planning professional experience.

In writing the books, she observed best professional practice. Both books also feature some projects she worked on as a foundation staff in Lagos State civil service (at Ikeja Area Planning Authority/LSDPC 1965-1979) as a Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning, at Lagos State Polytechnic (December 1985 – June 1986) at Yaba College of Technology (July 1986 – 2000) as lecturer and past Head of Dept; at Lagos State University (2011 – 2013) as a lecturer on the Masters’ Programme in Urban & Regional Planning; and as a Town Planning Consultant (1980 – 1985, 2000 – 2017).

The research and production of these publications were self-motivated and self-financed; and are her humble contribution to Lagos State, Nigerian National economic progress and global human capacity development.

“REFLECTIONS: A 70th BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY MEMOIR- JUNE 14, 2018”

The third new publication is – “REFLECTIONS: A 70^th Birthday Anniversary Memoir, June 14, 2018”, originated from some of the papers the author has presented at Community Interaction, School Programmes, local and international conferences.

The chapter on raising children can be read on this website. It highlights her experiences and views on raising my children from infancy to adulthood and the challenges of social media and peer pressure in a rapidly digitized environment (with accompanying drug and substance abuse, alcoholism, illicit sex and indecent dressing). May the Lord continue to bless us all and keep our families safe and happy. The stable family is the base of a stable nation.

There is further discussion on life, living, family values and relationships with references to Bible passages.

A chapter in the book is an overview of the phenomenal urbanisation of Lagos Mega City, and the problems arising therefrom (physical, social and environmental).

The purpose of this book is for those coming behind to benefit from her life experiences.

She is a community leader in her residential neighbourhood. She is also a mentor to the youth at church and at the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. She is a Life Member of Lagos Country Club, Ikeja and a Patron of the Table-Tennis Section.

She is married to Arc. Akin. George FNIA, of Thomas Ige George Family, Upper Offin Lane, Lagos Island. The marriage is blessed with children and grandchildren.