The Delta State Secretariat named after the immediate past Asagba of Asaba as Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien Secretariat has been adjudge the best corporate building in Nigeria.
This evaluation and recognition was done by the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) at their National conference in Abuja when it recently presented a National Award to a Delta born Architect and designer of the magnificent Secretariat, Arc. Kester Ifeadi for designing the Most Iconic Corporate Building in Nigeria.
This award couldn’t have carried much effect if it has come from other professional bodies, but coming from a prestigious and well established professional body like Nigerian Institute of Architects speaks volumes of such investigation and evaluation that shortlisted this project above several legacy projects across the country for an award of this magnitude.
Few years ago, Delta State Government under the leadership of Sen. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa as Governor, embarked on this iconic project that naysayers thought wasn’t going to be accomplished. But to the amazement of pundits, the project was completed in record time and commissioned.
The project was borne out of the fact that Government needed to bring all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies under one environment, stop paying rents and save money for Government.
Delta State despite being one of the most endowed states in Nigeria has operated without a Central Secretariat for over 33 years of being created. Most of the Ministries operated in different parts of the city (Asaba) and in most cases, rented accommodations. This reduced the efficiency of government operations. This unique project therefore became imperative to improve the efficiency of government by having all the Ministries in one location as well as ensure seamless service delivery.
A major challenge was the unavailability of a suitable well located land within the city centre for this size of project that would accommodate the Ministries. The solution was in conceiving a single structure building that would house the above requirements and fit into the identified limited space. The mega project has a total floor space of 45,000m2. It is an Eight floor building complex that provides for over 30 Ministries, Departments and Agencies serviced by an Independent Power Supply that ensures an uninterrupted supply of electricity, sewage treatment, CCTV, Central Information Centre, etc.
It presently accommodates over 5000 workers daily with other facilities such as business centres, clinic, banks, creche and restaurants. Today, it is the largest single building State Secretariat in Nigeria.
As Delta State is being celebrated for this iconic building accomplishment and enjoys the latitude for encouraging Local Content in its development efforts, the Delta born Architect, designer and project consultant for the State Secretariat, Arc. Kester Ifeadi is being upscaled for career excellence.
Arc. Ifeadi was born at Ubulu-Okiti in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, an alumnus of the then University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University where he obtained Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Architecture. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and Chief Executive Officer of the Contemporary Group Limited, with over 35 years of his life in his craft and trade. He is also the designer of Asaba International Airport and many other highbrow projects across the country, including this award winning Most Iconic Corporate Building in Nigeria.
The NIA is reputed for its Core Value which is “We remain true to the same principles on which Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) was founded since 1960: producing members that create superior designs, shaping our world and, putting safety first, to creating opportunities for people. The NIA has truly lived up to its name by giving this award to a renowned, highly creative, silent but audacious architect par excellence, Arc. Kester Ifeadi, recognizing him for putting Delta on the best spot of history and reputation profiling.
However, while Arc. Kester Ifeadi and his Contemporary Group Limited got the award, Delta State is the winner for her achievement in building the Most Iconic Corporate Building in Nigeria.