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Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Sir Sterling Ellis, Others, Honored at Inaugural Pinnacle Awards for Finance, Innovation, and Real Estate

The Pinnacle Awards for Finance, Innovation, and Real Estate (PAFIR) honors industry leaders and visionaries shaping Nigeria’s economic growth.

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.

L-R: Bola Aruna, MD/CEO Oakwood Heights, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, former Managing Director/CEO, Federal Housing Authority, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman NGX Limited, Roni Akins (Mrs.), MD/CEO RAEMCOD Global Group Ltd., Sir Sterling Ellis, Founder Sterling Ellis & Co. Inc. (USA) and Nigeria, Real Estate & PPP Specialist Gabriel Atta Baba, and Kayode Omotoso, CEO/Managing Mortgage Broker, HBIC Advisory

“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.

L-R: Chukwudi Nga, Head, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Lagos, Chairman NGX Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Dr. Adedeji David Ajadi, Executive Secretary/CEO Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Roni Akins, CEO/MD RAEMCOD Global Group, Sir Sterling Ellis, Transcontinental Capital Markets Professional

“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.

L-R: Bola Aruna MD/CEO Oakwood Heights and Kayode Omotoso, CEO/Managing Mortgage Broker, HBIC Advisory

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.

Vivian Akinyosoye
Vivian Akinyosoye is a seasoned journalist with a background in English Language and a Masters degree in International Law & Diplomacy. She officially began her career in journalism when she joined Channels Television Lagos Nigeria in 2000. Her work in Channels allowed her to hone her skills as a journalist laying a solid foundation for a successful career as a versatile reporter covering Human angle stories, Health, Aviation, Metrofile, Travels, Business and Finance. She served as State House Correspondent Abuja in her early years with Channels TV and has trained at the London Academy for Film, Media and TV. She also served briefly with Silverbird Television Lagos Nigeria before joining African Voices 1 Network Intl (AV1 News) where she currently serves as Lead Editor, Business & Finance.

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