EDO STATE LIAISON OFFICE COMPLEX, ABUJA.
EDO STATE LIAISON OFFICE COMPLEX, ABUJA.
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Date
2005-08
Authors
SAMUEL, OLOWOJOBA SANU
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Abstract
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ABSTRACT
In a federalism system of government, state governments are answerable to the
federal government. Liaison offices have been established to serve as a link between the
federal seat and the state. Being a representational building, representing the state in the
Federal Capital Territory, a liaison office building therefore stands the task of providing all
necessary information concerning the state at the Federal Capital Territory.
This thesis fundamentally seeks to look into the present approach of liaison offices
design based on their function and purpose. However, this thesis design will go beyond the
office and guest accommodation approach to attempting at reflecting the richer aspect of
Edo culture- the Benin art in contemporary buildings.
After carrying out some research, some problems were found to be associated with
liaison offices. Topping the list is the lack of regional architectural approach in liaison
office buildings and public buildings in general in the federal capital territory. In his book
‘Art in Nigeria’, Ulli Beier stated categorically and I quote that “the artistic life in Nigeria
is being powerfully influenced by European architects who at the present time build allimportant
public buildings. Much of this architecture seems ill-adapted to its surroundings
both from an aesthetic and practical point of view”. Asides architectural regionalism, other
problems associated liaison office buildings in the federal capital territory is that of cultural
identification and cultural assimilation among the citizens and the states they represent.
This thesis however, is aimed at achieving the following objectives; To make findings into
the common features of the Benin Art and an attempt at reflecting such common features in
contemporary buildings, to bring to limelight the richest of the Edo culture- the Benin Art,
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An attempt at identifying a common ground for Art and Architecture, To design a liaison
office capable of accommodating the state government workers on official duty at Abuja;
considering the high cost of hotel accommodation in Abuja, this will help cut down on
government spending and to be a source of revenue generation by providing let-able office
spaces with commercial accommodation.
The author was motivated by the present lack of originality in the design of public
buildings in Abuja. Abuja being the Federal Capital Territory, should be able to show case
various cultures of the different parts of the country in a bid to improving tourism. Ulli
Beier author of ‘Art in Nigeria’ stated that buildings especially public buildings should
reflect some cultural aspect of the people for whom the building is built. He concluded by
saying that architects should try to get ‘the feel of the place’ and adjust their buildings to
the climate. Therefore, this thesis research was born out of the immense contribution of
Benin Art to the Nigerian Art history and also by the need to retrieve this internationally
recognized Primitive Art Style in an attempt at immortalizing them.
The methodology of research involves first and foremost the identification of the
problem statement, collection of data relevant to the problem statement, collection of data
relevant to the research area (Benin Art and Architecture), case study of existing situations
and similar projects, analysis of data and case studies. Some of the findings include the fact
that the Benin Artwork collection is the largest in Nigeria, it is known worldwide for its
naturalistic primitive concept, and some of the finest Benin artefacts are on display in the
Museum of Primitive Art, New York. Some other thousands are in foreign museums in
London, Berlin, Vienna etc. other findings include the fact that Benin architecture was
usually reflected on their artworks, the Benin buildings usually serve as medium for
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reflecting their artworks. Further more is the fact that researches have shown that in the
early Benin kingdom, certain art forms and images were created and were employed in the
political processes. Discoveries have been able to bring into limelight how art was created,
allocated and used, by both kings and their powerful rivals, to control historical memory.
In conclusion, Edo state may be a minority state but it is the Nigerian image for art.
In respect of this achievement, the state deserves the right to showcase this rich aspect of
their culture at the federal level. This will in turn make the building itself serve as a self
educative structure and an icon of cultural identity asides the principal function of a liaison
office.
Description
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE,
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA.
Keywords
EDO,, STATE,, LIAISON,, OFFICE,, COMPLEX,, ABUJA,, ATTEMPT,, REFLECTING,, BENIN,, ART,, CONTEMPORARY,, BUILDINGS.