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Blow-By-Blow Account Of The 2-Day Event
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is seriously interested in the development of the real estate industry. And he is doing everything possible to ensure that the ever-booming sector of the economy improves year-in, year-out. One among his many strides towards achieving this is the annual programme called “Lagos Real Estate Market Place Conference & Exhibitions”.
The conference is organised by the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, LASRERA, a vibrant agency of the state government established with the goal of providing an enabling environment and transparent real estate sector which conforms with international best practices while safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders. And this years conference is the 4th.
It serves as a platform where Stakeholders in the Built Industry such as real estate practitioners and property developers operating in Lagos State converge to deliberate on the major challenges the industry is facing and finding the best way out, this year’s edition of the 2 days conference is the 4th of its kind and a very unique one. It was held between 13th and 14th of December, 2023 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme; “Real Estate Regulation: A Panacea For Disaster Mitigation And Recovery In The Built Industry”.
The entire event was anchored by the duo of Oluwaseun P. Olaniyan and Olanrewaju Bajulaye. They combined well in making the 2 days conference a worthwhile experience for participants. City People Reporter, Jamiu Abubakar (08085185886) and Photojournalist, Sunday Oyemade covered the conference. Here are the full details of how the event which spanned 2 days went.
HOW DAY 1 OF THE EVENTFUL CONFERENCE WENT
The conference began on a bright note. Participants and the entire audience were already seated before 10 am, expecting the commencement of this year’s edition of the much-anticipated annual conference. By the time the conference began, the hall was almost filled to capacity.
HON. BARAKAT BAKARE DELIVERS WELCOME ADDRESS
The Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Housing and organiser of the conference, Barrister Barakat Bakare gave a well loaded welcome address. During her speech, she identified the potential of the real estate industry as capable of creating jobs, bridging the housing deficit and boosting the economy of the state. She saluted Mr. Governor for empowering LASRERA through policies to enhance proper dealings in real estate transactions. She says the agency now “has power to investigate complaints and petitions against licensed and unlicensed real estate practitioners and property developers and impose sanctions in accordance with the law where necessary”.
She added that the instrument went further to empower LASRERA to effectively engage real estate stakeholders through organizing seminars, symposia and conferences.
Meanwhile, she commended LASRERA for not failing in hosting the conference for 4 consecutive years which has successfully promoted the interest of stakeholders in the industry. She also identified the need for collective assent and joint action in support of regulations and compliance in the sector which has been affected by disaster in recent times as what informs the choice of the theme of this year’s conference.
As she appreciated the calibre of participants the conference and exhibition has attracted, the SA however expressed her optimism in the conversation and discourse held at the conference as capable of bringing forth a properly shaped policies and practices that safeguards buildings and infrastructures in Lagos state and creating a path for a more resilient and sustainable city.
A DAY OF REMARKABLE SPEECHES
The first day was marked by speeches and presentations which no doubt enriched the activities of the day. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Gboyega Fatimilehin of Diya Fatimilehin & Co. while 3 of the many reputable personalities at the conference gave their remarks about the annual event. First is the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai; followed by President, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko and Hon. Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa.
Among those who made presentations at the conference was Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Diaspora Affairs, ESV. Jermaine Sanwo-Olu who during his plan revealed what Mr. Governor is doing to make the real estate sector more attractive to investors and Nigerians in the diaspora. Also making a presentation was Dr. Roland Igbinoba as he spoke on the topic, “Using data obtained from regulation to avert disaster in the built industry.
Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s keynote address was delivered by the Hon. Commissioner for Housing where he spoke at length on the many strides of Mr. Governor.
Towards sanitizing the built industry and ensuring the goal of achieving affordable houses for Lagosians that can stand the test of time is coming to reality.
PANEL SESSIONS VERY ENGAGING
The organisers have done well in bringing-forth top experts which cut across government private establishments as panellists and resource persons. They had a robust discussion looking at different angles to the subject matter. A number of 6 Panel sessions where highly engaging deliberations were held throughout the 2 days of the conference as 3 sessions were held each day. Each panel was rich considering the calibre of people sitting on it.
The first panel session held on the day 1 of the conference was anchored by The Executive Director, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Prince Adeniyi Aromolaran. Sitting as panellists are the Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Mayor Dele Oshinowo; Founding Partner, Estate Links Limited, Gbenga Olaniyan; Group CEO, Octo 5 Group, Jide Odusolu; MD/CEO, The Address Homes, Bisi Onasanya; MD/CEO, Nedcomoaks, and Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo. They deliberated on the topic: “Disaster Mitigation Strategies-best Practices For Mitigating Disasters In The Real Estate And Built Industry”.
The second panel of the day was centred on the topic: “The Role Of Public-private Partnerships In Enhancing Disaster Mitigation And Resilience In The Built Industry”. The panel was anchored by the Founder, Pison Housing Company, Dr. Rowland Igbinoba and sitting in the panel are the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide; Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab; MD/CEO LSDPC, Hon. Ayodeji Joseph; GM, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki; MD/CEO, Lekki Gardens, and Richard Nyong.
Sitting on the third panel anchored by Managing Consultant, Light world Consult Inc., Alfred Akindeinde were the likes of Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Oke Osanyintolu; MD/CEO Custodian Allied Insurance, Mr. Edeki Isujeh; DG/CEO, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk A. Salim; CEO, Eximia Realty Limited, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran and CEO, Fine and Country West Africa, and Mrs. Udo Maryanne Okonjo. They discussed the topic: “Insurance and Risk Management as a mitigating and recovery tool.
OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION FLOOR
As the activities of the first day winds up, Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Engineer Goriola Toriola gave the closing remarks. This was followed by the official commencement of the exhibitions by Mr. Governor who was duly represented by Hon. Akinderu-Fatai. He and other top dignitaries at the conference had a tour round different stands to have a first-hand experience of products being displayed.
ACTIVITIES HELD ON DAY 2 OF THE CONFERENCE
The second day of the conference was a continuation of the impressive activities held on day 1. As early as 9 am, the expo hall was already set for the day’s event as guests and participants were already trooping in to take part in the conference. Opening the floor for discussion was Lagos Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Shuaheeb Agoro. He spoke on the potentials of real estate in Lagos State and what the government is doing to boost the economic activities in the sector by making it safe for investors and stakeholders.
PANEL SESSIONS
TOP NOTCH
The first panel session held for the day was on the topic: “Adhering to Building Approvals, Permits and Land Use Planning” and discussing on the panel which was anchored by Yode Delano, SAN of the Akindelano Legal Practitioners (ALP) were Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide; Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro; Lagos State Surveyor General, Surv. Ayokunnu Adesina who was represented by his assistant; Executive Secretary, Lands Use and Allocation Committee at the Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mrs. Ololade Ajetumobi; MD, El Alan Construction, Mr. Andre Geday and the Chapter President, FIABCI-Nigeria, International Real Estate Federation, Mr. Gladstone Opara.
The second panel anchored by Mr. Kunle Omotola of AO Legal came up immediately after the first was concluded. Sitting of the panel were the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN who sent his representative; GM, Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA, Mr. Solebo Afolabi Adebayo Esq.; GM, Lagos Mortgage Board (LAGHOMS), Mr. Bayowa Foresythe; Director, Citizen Mediation Centre, Mrs. Biola Oseni and President, Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MABAN), Mr. Ebilate Mac-Yokori.
The third and final panel session for the year’s conference was anchored by President of Nigeria Proptech Association, Dr. Roland Igbinoba. Members of this panel were made up of tech experts whose services have contributed immensely to the real estate industry. They include; Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake; Lagos State Special Adviser, E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde; Founder and CEO, VENCO, Chude Osiegbu; Founder, Cutstruct, John Oamen and Co-founder and CEO, Sytemap, Nnamdi Uba. They dealt with the topic of deliberation, “Technological Solutions: Relevance of Proptech Startups and the use of technology in disaster and recovery management for real estate.
At the end of the conference which was loaded with lots of recommendations and resolutions, a communique was agreed to be issued to the public in due course. Meanwhile the Director of Administration and Human Resources, LASRERA, Mr. Omotosho Moshood did a great job in doing a summary of the entire conference as a wrap up for the year’s event. As the conference was concluded, networking, exhibitions and tours of the exhibition stands continued marking the end of the eventful conference.
FEEDBACKS FROM PARTICIPANTS
According to feedback, a sample of the huge participants at the conference revealed that many of them were pleased with the organisers, LASRERA and Lagos State government for holding the worthwhile conference filled with lots of information, education and remarkable experiences. Many of them said they were already anticipating next year’s Lagos Real Estate Market Place Conference & Exhibitions which they believe would be an upgrade of this year’s conference just as the subsequent editions surpassed the previous ones.
