Healthcare Real Estate to Take Centre Stage at Real Estate Unite 2014

  Nigeria’s healthcare system and infrastructural challenge will be the key focus of this year’s edition of Real Estate Unite as major stakeholders address this year’s theme “Igniting the F.I.R.E, Where Lies The Key?” The conference, organised by 3Invent, will hold 2nd and 3rd October ‎at the intercontinental hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos with three tiers- conference, an awards ceremony and exhibitions. Speaking at a media parley, Ruth Obih of 3invest stated that real estate represents 7.6 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, therefore it is time for the sector to be responsive. “We knew it was time to bring to the forefront a new market opportunity when we were suddenly faced with the outbreak of the Ebola Virus in Lagos and West Africa at large. While uncertainty remains the greatest challenge in any economy, 2014 has been a year of contrasts for us,” she said. Mrs Obih further stated that Nigeria’s GDP was rebased and emerged the continent’s largest economy as well as the first West African nation to host the World Economic Forum on Africa. “At the same time, it is faced with the #BringBackOurGirls campaign and now, fighting Ebola with an unprepared healthcare system.‎ With the infrastructural challenges of providing medical services to the infected, exposed and others, I knew that at Real Estate Unite, we had to focus on healthcare real estate or simply put the future of care from the real estate perspective. “We will address the process of developing structural spaces, systems, networks and technologies for the provision of quality care. This roundtable is going to be the first of its kind and I for one cannot wait for what comes out of the deliberations because we are possibly sitting on the verge of major reform in Nigerian healthcare thanks to changes in real estate” the Chief Executive concluded. 25 speakers are expected at the gathering including Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola who will give the keynote address on the Science of Building a Mega city. Others are Hakeem Ogunniran of UPDC, Simon Walley of World Bank, Kunle Osilaja of Ecobank, Hassan Usman Hassan of Aso Savings, Femi Adewole of Shelter Afrique, Prof Olumide Olusanya of Unilag, Dr. Chii Akporji of Ministry of Finance, Mr Sonnie Ayere of Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company amongst others. Also, nomination for the 12 categories Unite awards segment of the conference has begun online. Last year saw UPDC winning two awards in the categories of Developer of the Year and Real Estate Person of the year; ARM properties won future project awards with the Iconic Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate; and Actis won Leading Real Estate Finance Company. Another activity slated for Real Estate Unite will be the launch of African Women in Real Estate. Mrs. Obih who revealed this during the parley said; “In almost every sector, the focus is now for increased inclusivity and representation of women. “The launch of A.W.I.R.E will be one of our most coveted round table sessions and I for one, am very excited at the immense possibilities that will be unleashed once the network is up and running. You bet I will be its first member,” she added.