Encomium have continued to trail personalities and organizations in the built and construction industry, following their recognition at the just concluded 16th Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) Awards Presentation and Gala Night.
The event, which was the last activity wrapping up the 16th edition of the annual conference, was organised to reward individuals and firms who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Housing sector in the last one year.
Tpl Olutoyin Ayinde, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), bagged the President of Professional Bodies of the year award, while Kayode Omotosho, Executive Secretary of the Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN) clinched the Outstanding Mortgage Personality of the year.
In the same vein, South African based affordable housing advocate, Kecia Rust was honoured with the Affordable Housing Promoter of the year award, while Emmanuel Atama bagged the Cooperative Housing Man of the year award.
Similarly, Bhaskar Rao was awarded the Iconic Thought-Leader in Ceramic Tiling, Rt Hon. Alhassan Doguwa as Housing Friendly Legislator of the Year, Octo 5 holdings as Proptech Company of the Year, Dangote Cement as Best Cement Company of the Year, Hall 7 Real Estate as Innovative Real Estate Company of the Year, CDK Integrated Industries as Porcelain Tiles Manufacturer of the Year, and Royal Ceramics as Most Outstanding Booth in AIHS 2022.
Also, Brains & Hammers won the award of Excellence in Affordable Housing Delivery as Cosgrove was awarded the Real Estate Company of the Year and Luxury Homes Developer of the Year respectively.
Family Homes Funds Limited won Affordable Housing Company of the year, as Award of Excellence in Affordable Housing Delivery was given to the Enugu state housing corporation.
Other awardees include; Most Organized Booth – COPEN Group, Most Friendly Booth – First Generation Mortgage Bank, Best Booth – Royal Ceramics, Best Dressed Exhibitors’ Staff – Bathrooms Direct, Best Designed Booth – Etex, Fast Growing Real Real estate company – Neelds Realty, City planner of the year – Tpl Umar Shuaib, and New Entrant AIHS 2022 – African Industries Group.
In his remarks, the coordinator of the event, Festus Adebayo, during a brief interview, commended all the awardees for their loyalty, commitment and dedication over the year, saying beneficiaries of the award were honoured for their exemplary service and great values added to the housing and construction industry.
“I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone here tonight. Indeed, loyalty is royalty, and this is another proof of your excellent service. Your dedication sustains our key ideals, and our continued growth is built on a resilient and loyal culture.
“Today, we celebrate your individual and collective triumphs, and our breakthrough was made possible by your many years of devoted devotion.” I encourage you to stay focused and devoted. We sincerely appreciate your efforts”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, the NITP President, Olutoyin Ayinde lauded Adebayo for his tenacity and consistency in sustaining the momentum over the past 16 years.
He said: “On behalf of the awardees, I’d like to start by saying that the response to receiving awards is first, humility because when I get an award, it does not connote that I’m the best; it’s just because I’m privileged. I want to thank the board of AIHS for the good work they have done over the years and I want to thank the management of Octo 5 holdings for hosting us this evening for a sumptuous dinner. The reward for good work is more work. This invariably means that everyone who has gotten an award this evening is in trouble because you have your own self to beat. You have to raise the standard higher for yourself and I want to say on behalf of all of us that next year, we will be here again and we will try to do better than we have done this year.”
