REU Confab: When stakeholders gather to connect DOTS in real estate
For the fourth time in the series, 3invest Limited, a young and ambitious real estate marketing, advocacy, consultancy and advisory firm, is gathering stakeholders for its annual conference with the aim of connecting the DOTS in real estate sector in Nigeria and, by extension, Africa.
The conference, known as Real Estate Unite (REU), is 3Invest’s annual ritual through which it pushes the frontiers of its real estate advocacy, drawing both private and public sector attention to the huge opportunities and challenges in the sector and, at the same time, proffering solutions.
This year’s edition, already slated for September 29 and 30, promises useful insights into current developments in the sector and, according to Ruth Obih, the young dynamic chief executive of 3Invest Limited, speeches, discussions and exclusive roundtable sessions at the conference would be centred around the DOTS in the sector.
DOTS, Obih explained, is an acronym for Drivers, Opportunities, Transformation, and Sustainability, noting that these are the four building blocks that contribute to the long-term viability of the sector.
“Drivers are harnessed to create Opportunities, resulting in Transformation that must be hinged on the principles of Sustainability for it to be effective”, she explained further, disclosing that the two-day conference would be featuring Leaders Meeting, African Women in Real Estate Meeting, the D.O.T.S Conversations, Exhibitions, and Awards Dinner which would be recognizing players in the sectors that have distinguished themselves. At a press conference in Lagos which she addressed as part of activities leading to the conference proper, Obih announced that her company would be launching its ‘Run 2 Build’ initiative in honour of millions of displaced Nigerians and those living in slums.
3Invest, she said, recognized that of all the challenges facing the building sector, housing deficit topped the list which was why ‘Run 2 Build’ was aimed to create awareness and raise funds for slum regeneration as part of practical approaches to put a dent to the deficit. “‘Run 2 Build’, as a campaign, will serve as an effective vehicle for the eradication of the deficit in the housing sector. However, we know that we alone cannot achieve this on our own. As such, the building sector and its allied partners will power the campaign”, she said, assuring that, together, they would be awarding cash grants to non-profit urban development projects focused on social housing and slum upgrade.
This year’s conference which will be holding at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, will be opened by Ibikunle Amosun, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, while an array of speakers including Hakeem Ogunniran, the Managing Director of UPDC; Mark Bradford, JLL, Niyi Adeleye, Stanbic IBTC, Ronald Chaugoury, South Energyx, Nnema Byrd, Stanlib, Uzo Oshogwe, Afriland Properties,and MKO Balogun, Global PFI have been assembled for the conference.
Other speakers are Bolaji Edu of Broll, Olumayowa Ogunwemimo, FSDH, Roland Igbinoba, Pison Housing Company, Jumoke Akinwunmi, Ogun State Housing Corporation, Gbenga Olaniyan, Estatelinks, Udo Okonjo, Fine and Country, Funke Okubadejo, ACTIS, Chudi Ubosi of Ubosi Eleh +Co, etc.