Fashola, Jakande & others honoured at ERCAAN AGM/Conference 2013

•          Sterling Bank, LASRETRAD, NIESV commends ERCAAN
•     Fashola charges ERCAAN on residency registration 
•     Jakande harps on importance of housing, hard work and honesty

Standing L-R: Lagos State chairman of ERCAAN, Hon. Godwin Alenkhe (EFA)  and former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the 17th Annual General Meeting of ERCAAN held at Alausa, Lagos recently. Pix: Akinsanya Kayode

By Olumide T. Agunbiade & Hon. Abayomi Olayoriju

Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) won the maiden edition of the Prestigious Integrity Award during the 17th Annual General Meeting/Conference 2013 of the Estate, Rent and Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN), held at Adeyemi Bero auditorium of the Lagos State secretariat, Alausa on Wednesday 30 October, 2013.

Standing L-R: Lagos State chairman of ERCAAN, Hon. Godwin Alenkhe (EFA)  and former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the 17th Annual General Meeting of ERCAAN held at Alausa, Lagos recently. Pix: Akinsanya Kayode

The event which had an "Effective System and Service Delivery of Real Estate in a Mega City as its theme also had in attendance as guest speakers, the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; the special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on Housing, Mr. Jimoh Ajao who also represented Governor Fashola; the General Manager, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), Ms. Yinka Fashola; the General Manager, Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), Mr. Kayode Ogunnubi and Mrs. Ndidi Onoh, a representative of Sterling Bank Nigeria Plc.
The award which according to the body was borne out of his "proven track record of running a corrupt free and honest administration," was presented by the National president of ERCAAN, Hon. E.T. Dare (EFA). Alhaji Jakande received an integrity award for laying the foundation of low cost housing in Lagos State during his tenure while Hon. Jimoh Ajao bagged an award of integrity for his role in the establishment of the regulatory body of estate agents in Lagos State.
The Chairman, Lagos State chapter of ERCAAN, Hon. Godwin Alenkhe (EFA) highlighted the association's achievements in the areas of expansion, corporate partnership, capacity building and enlightenment. According to him, "our expansion drive was quite remarkable with conversion of some groups of Estate Agents from the NIREA fold to ERCAAN body."
He explained that "the partnership concept was basically designed to  improve the financial ability of the state chapter and adding value to the services of our members." He noted that the enlightenment agenda was based on qualitative information with the print and other media organisations to expose the activities of the association and the need to fully invest in the capacity building of the members of the association through seminars and training.
Speaking on government policies in real estate, the National president of ERCAAN, Hon. E.T. Dare (EFA) enjoined his members to embrace these policies rather t han antagonize them. He also called on the national assembly to pass a law recognizing ERCAAN as the authorized body for estate agents. Hon. Dare also charged the government to enforce the registration of estate agents to avoid fraud and foster recognition of members.
First civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande urged members of the association to take advantage of the present administration interest in real estate, describing the future as great for ERCAAN if they maintain hard work and honesty. He also stressed the importance of housing in human survival.
The General Manager, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), Ms. Yinka Fashola enjoined ERCAAN to encourage its members to participate in the latest exercise enbarked upon by the agency. The exercise, she said, was established to develop an accurate and updatable database to enhance effective government planning and enable adequate infrastructural development in the state.
The General Manager revealed that the association and its members would benefit a lot in the residents' registration exercise as it would avail them the necessary statistical data to market their services to their clients.
The General Manager, Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), Mr. Kayode Ogunnubi commends the cooperation and organisation of ERCAAN and announced that no member of the association was involved in fraudulent cases recorded by his agency.
Sterling Bank representative, Mrs. Ndidi Onoh praised the association and announced that as partners in progress, Sterling Bank officials  will soon visit all the zones and units under ERCAAN.
Other awardees at the event include Hon. Lanre Afolayan (EFA), Hon. Samuel Ogundipe, Chief M.B. Shorinola (EFA), Chief Obi Anaekwena, Hon. Akinnugba, Hon. B. Thomas, Owotutu/Ladi Lak/Bariga Zone and Apapa/ Ifelodun Zone.
Dignitaries that also graced the memorable event include, His Royal Highness, Eze Guy Nwajiofor Okoli of Ajeromi Ifelodun L.G.A; ERCAAN founder, Hon. Michael Adeogun (EFA); E.Biz representative, Sterling Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Oladapo Famuyide; Mr. Levi of First Properties Information Services Limited; the Vice Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NIESV, a representative of the Silverbird Group, Managing Director RSL Derivatives, Mr. Lekan Abiola; National P.R.O of ERCAAN, Hon. Segun Olaide (EFA); Lagos State Vice Chairman of ERCAAN, Hon. Fredrick Odusanmi (EFA), Lagos State Executive, all zonal chairmen of ERCAAN, delegates and professionals in the finance, real estate and built sector from 57 Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State.