The much-anticipated Pinnacle Awards for Finance, Innovation, and Real Estate (PAFIR) held its inaugural edition at the Oriental Hotel Lagos over the weekend.
Guests who attended the described commended the organizers for taking the initiative to recognize some of Nigeria’s finest in key sectors that drive economic growth in any nation.
Senator Gbenga Ashafa, a two-term Senator and former Managing Director/CEO of the Federal Housing Authority who was recognized for his remarkable contributions to governance, infrastructure, and socio-economic growth across the nation commended the organizers of the event describing it as an initiative that will impact Nigerians in the long term.
“I’m so happy that the people that were given the awards along with me are those that are recognized in their own areas of specialty, be it ICT, Finance or real estate. And I’m overwhelmed with the way that this event has been organized, that the professionals behind the awards made it so glaring that the government is first and foremost, the entity that they are trying to back so that things can be better for an average Nigerian.
“When you look at the housing sector, the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is something that can key in to what they are talking about here. The main ingredient is making life better for Nigerians.”
Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, was also honored for his transformative role in establishing the Nigerian Exchange group as a leading market infrastructure and a profitable investment hub in Africa.
“Over the years, I’ve received so many awards but i consider this as a special award because it’s related to my own field, my own constituency and the small contribution i have made in the Nigerian capital market. The demutualization of the Nigerian Stock Exchange came with a lot of challenges.
This an institution of over 60 years, these are institutions, when you mention some of the people that have contributed to the development of Nigeria and the economy in general, has been one way or the other passed through the office that I now occupy.
You can start from ojuku Abiola Aliko mention names. When you visit the Nigerian Stock Exchange, when you see the pictures of the past Presidents and past chairmen of the stock exchange, you will see that these are people that one way or the other have made their own Contributions. So I’m not taking it for granted with all humility.
“So I want to dedicate this award to the Nigerian Capital market community in general, which includes my board of directors, their management, the regulators and SEC commission for their support in the demutualization process.
“The National Assembly for passing that bill so that we can be able to transform from a mutual to demutualized profit-oriented organization. With that, we have brought a lot of Nigerians to come and invest in Nigeria stock exchange.”
Other special award recipients included Sir Sterling Ellis, a Certified Financial Manager and founder of Sterling Ellis & Co., as well as Kayode Omotoso, Founder of Troy Consulting, a U.S.-based management consulting firm.
Their achievements were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the financial sector both in Nigeria and abroad.
In the real estate category, Deacon Durojaiye Babajide John, Managing Director and Founder of Legrande Properties Development Company Limited, was celebrated for his leadership and pioneering efforts in the Nigerian real estate and construction industry.
Gabriel Attah Baba, a prominent real estate professional, was also recognized for his extensive consultancy work in the public and private sectors.
Bola Aruna, Managing Director of Oakwood Heights, was likewise lauded for his excellence and innovative approach to real estate development.
The PAFIR Awards is built on a robust philosophy of identifying and honoring individuals and corporate organizations making sterling contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s Finance, ICT, and Real Estate sectors.
