By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shelter Afrique slated for May 2023 will take place in Abuja, Nigeria, the shareholders have agreed.
This follows the signing of the host agreement at the end of July between Shelter Afrique and the Federal Government of Nigeria in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe during the 41st AGM.
According to the pan-African housing development financier, the yearly shareholders’ gathering will cover an annual symposium, a ministerial roundtable and some interlinked business activities as part of the proceedings.
Nigeria is expected to ensure effective organisation and success of the meetings by undertaking to contribute to the physical planning which includes country entry requirements, provision of hosting premises, transport for designated officials and related protocols and formalities.
“Nigeria is happy to be the next host of the Annual General Meeting. We appreciate how things come full circle. We were the host for the 36th Annual General Meeting in 2016.
“We steadied the ship and handed stewardship to Zimbabwe. Now Zimbabwe has an opportunity to do the same for us. This is the role we must all play in advancing the cause for affordable housing.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Chairperson of the 41st Annual General Meeting, Daniel Garwe, and with the 2nd Vice-Chairperson, Rwanda and indeed all shareholders.
“Our planning begins now, we must continue the tradition of excellent hosting, and we will shortly communicate more information on the date, venues and sundry,” the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, stated.
In his remarks, the acting managing director of Shelter Afrique, Mr Kingsley Muwowo, thanked Nigeria for accepting to host the event next year.
“We are pleased with the emphasis the Federal Government of Nigeria has placed on the provision of affordable housing. We believe that by hosting our 42nd AGM Nigeria will be able to take the lead on shaping the narrative around affordable housing in Nigeria and beyond,” Mr Muwowo said.
Nigeria is one of the founding members of Shelter Afrique and has been an active member over the years. Currently, it’s the second largest shareholder in the company, with a shareholding of 15.8 per cent after Kenya.
Adedapo Adesanya