ERCAAN LAGOS STATE: REFORMATION AND PROGRESS REPORT

By Hon. Abayomi Olayoriju

I

t is amazing when you behold the new face of the ERCAAN in Nigeria today, most especially in Lagos State. The achievements have been very massive in all the 57 Local Government Areas.

The association is wearing a new and well organized statute. Let’s start, by getting to know what exactly ERCAAN is all about. ERCAAN is a gathering of trusted, tested and well educated gentlemen and women in the profession of Real Estate business. It is the only Association recognized and licensed by the Lagos State Government with over 42 Zones and over 16 Units to its credit in Lagos State alone.

How did ERCAAN came to existent? ERCAAN became an association because of a dishonest tenant. This dishonest tenant registered with the founder of ERCAAN Pa Chief Michael Adeogun who as an Estate Agent reached an agreement with the tenant. The agreement was that, Chief Michael Adeogun will be paid a 10% commission for this service after getting a place for the tenant. But after securing an accommodation for the tenant, he the (tenant) by passed the agent “Chief Michael Adeogun, and paid directly to the Landlord of the house, thereby evading the agreed commission of the Agent. It was reported to the law enforcement agents (Police).

Chief Michael Adeogun was advised to work with his fellow agents to form an association in order to protect their cause, which lead to the formation of ERCAAN today. Pa chief Michael Adeogun in collaboration with Mr. Akin (Deceased) Mr. Soneye (Deceased) Mr. Basil Uzoma, Pastor Wahidi Sobona, Elder A.S. Adejuwon and Pastor J.O. Oshinuga came together and formed what we now call ERCAAN. This was in order to stop questionable and dishonest characters or rather customers from debarring their source of income.

These gentlemen formed ERCAAN as an association in 1990, and was registered with the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs. Under the land (Perpetual succession) Act cap 98 with No. 6223, as an Association on 8^th August 1991. ERCAAN was formed, registered and incorporated in the interest of practicing Nigeria Real Estate Agents who engages in genuine and honest Real Estate property consultancy, by rendering, honest and quick services to their clients, irrespective of Nationality, Tribe, Sex and Agents who have excelled in the field of Real Estate Property consultancy.

ERCAAN: Onwards and Upwards

ERCAAN is divided into National, State, Zonal and Unit organs of operation Headed at the National level by our able president Hon. E.T. Dare (EFA). Lagos state where a lot of transformation and progress is fast keeping up with international standards is headed by the chairman, Hon. Godwin Alenkhe.

At the moment, Lagos State is the largest card carrying membership chapter in ERCAAN. Lagos state ERCAAN now boasts of over 42 Zones and several units. These members are not practicing under a tree or rather squatting with tailors or barbers. They are all authentic and registered members operating under the Law and most are already registered with Lagos State Government for Licenses for their operations. What a wonderful and massive achievement; very encouraging in the business of Real Estate in the city of Excellence. Meanwhile, the motto of the Association which is Honesty and Quick services is always adhered to in all business transactions.

The aims and objectives of ERCAAN is social business and professional organization formed principally for the promotion to strengthened and furtherance of mutual co-operation, business and social interaction of its members on one hand and its members and the public at large.

 It is quite interested to note that cases of duping of clients or the public does not exist in ERCAAN and that is one of the main reasons after vetting and getting down to know the calibers of the executives at both National, State and Zonal levels, the Lagos State Government made a move by issuing Licenses to ERCAAN members to operate in the state just like any other professional bodies. This is a step forward and a welcome idea in the business of Real Estate in Nigeria.

Real Estate is a wealth generating industry and it is crystal clear that most multimillionaires in the United State of America made a good portion of their fortune from Real Estate business. Today, things are changing in Nigeria, because lots of companies are into Real Estate business, examples are RAO investment and Properties, Red Brick, Haggai etc. The Sky is the limit.

With an eagle’s eye of wisdom from the Lagos State government concerning Real Estate business in recognizing the efforts and achievements of ERCAAN in Lagos State, and also the executive members of ERCAAN that have worked and served nonstop both day and night bringing ERCAAN to this exalted position and remarkable achievements. ERCAAN is already a force to reckon with in the business of Real Estate.

All members both old and new attend seminars throughout the whole year, which makes a great different. ERCAAN members are encouraged to read because a person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read. This makes the different between ERCAAN members and others. Kudos to our able chairman Hon. Godwin Alenkhe, for bringing Lagos State ERCAAN to this wonderful and bright level.

The sky is the limit for you and Lagos State ERCAAN! UP ERCAAN!