RIS UK looks beyond real estate, contributes to positive narrative of Nigeria
When Fine & Country West Africa International in collaboration with BusinessDay decided to take Nigeria to the world through this year’s edition of the Refined Investor Series (RIS) to be held in London in the United Kingdom, the aim was principally to correct some misconceptions which Nigerian investors in the Diaspora have about the Nigerian real estate investment market.
But this effort may not achieve its full intentions if no attempt is to change the negative narrative so prevalent about Nigeria that people outside the country tend to dismiss it as a wasteland. This informed the decision by the promoters of this event tagged ‘RIS Diaspora and UK Edition’ to pep it up with the showcasing the best of the country and contributing to its positive narrative.
The hope, according to them, is that with these and a lot more that would be communicated through various speakers at the event, investor confidence in the country would be inspired.
Unarguably, there’s so much that is positive about Nigeria while there’s a lot that still requires correction and which leaves room for growth and, in some cases, radical change. Our governance structures are a weak link and one that organizations such as ANAP Foundation and many other non-governmental institutions are committed on building.
Real leaders think generationally, and so through this two-day event, we will draw our attention to celebrating leadership, both in the private and public sector. We will highlight the fact that there are good leaders in Nigeria, have been and will continue to be. In addition, by drawing attention to various leading corporate brands not just in Real Estate, but homegrown institutions, whether it’s Access Bank, Seplat, Platform, Famfa Oil, South Energyx, Landmark, Crown Realties Ltd and numerous others, we will demonstrate that the story of Nigeria cannot be told without the private sector.
Nigeria has shown its potential to nurture a growing entrepreneurial class. The emergence of Nollywood, a booming billion-dollar film industry with top products like ‘93 days’ and ‘Banana Island Ghost’ have been made possible by a combination of new digital technologies and a culture of entrepreneurship.
The work of the Trade Minister and his team, representing our President, with the ‘ease of doing business campaign’ and the progress made with investors with easier entry, the Lagos state initiatives around title registration, and some of the latest and exciting new cities and projects going on in Nigeria from Enugu to Kano, Abuja, Ogun State, Lagos, Port Harcourt are all areas to be showcased.
Our aim is to provide accurate and current insight on the real estate sector and the economy as a whole. We want to help shape the narrative more accurately by sharing the positives as well as the areas of desired growth. No nation can survive if its nationals are not proud of their country.
We have a responsibility to deliberately craft platforms that enable us showcase the best stories of our nation, its people and path to greatness. That’s why we are kicking off the Refined Investor Series with an Independence Celebration Dinner on Friday October 6. We want to celebrate our country, its people, both local and in Diapsora and the initiatives, brands, and projects that are contributing to it positively.
The brand new Greystone Tower is an eighteen-floor mixed-use development consisting of 4 units of 3 Bedroom apartments and 10-floor office space, a multi-story parking and recreational facilities. It is strategically located at the intersection of Idowu Taylor and Engineering Close in the business district of Victoria Island.
CHUKA UROKO