Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has mourned the passing of the late architect, Gabriel Aduku, former Honorable Minister of State for Health and former Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum.
“The passing of this great nationalist, Gabriel Aduku, who departed from us last night, is a sorrowful loss to the nation,” Festus Adebayo, the Executive Director of HDAN, disclosed in a statement signed this afternoon in Abuja.
HDAN said during his lifetime, Gabriel Aduku stood as a stalwart advocate for affordable housing. He played a significant role in shaping the landscape of affordable housing during the tenure of the late President Shehu Shagari and was not just an architect; he was the architect of architects.
According to Adebayo, Aduku mentored numerous architects, some of whom have risen to become fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Architects today. He also served as a former president of both the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
Throughout his career, Aduku maintained a humble and soft-spoken demeanor, never embroiling himself in controversy. He generously supported initiatives like the African International Housing Show for many years, contributing ideas and wisdom to the event.
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The passing of Aduku leaves a void in the architectural community. Questions arise about who will succeed him, who will fill the shoes he leaves behind, and how his legacy will be carried forward. “These are the challenges we face in his absence,” Adebayo emphasized.
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Meanwhile, stakeholders in the industry, upon receiving the shocking news, have lauded Aduku as a fine gentleman architect and a mentor to many. They lament that the architectural world has lost a true gem, a professional of impeccable reputation and character. “His experience and expertise will be sorely missed,” they added.
HDAN also expressed heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones, praying for the peaceful repose of their leader’s soul. Adebayo stressed that the housing development advocacy group stands ready to fully participate in his burial arrangements, honoring the memory of a remarkable leader in their field.