By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

Foremost manufacturer of ceramic tiles in Nigerian, West African Ceramics Ltd has bagged the Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA Excellence Award in the category of companies with most local content products in the Nigerian building and construction industry. The award was conferred on the company at the just concluded 6th Lagos Architects’ Forum organised by Lagos state chapter of the NIA.

Receiving the award from Mr. Tayo Babalakin, an architect and President, Association of Consulting Architects of Nigeria, the Size Analyst of West African Ceramics, Sachin Katare lauded the body of architects for its unmatched professionalism exercised in organising the forum which had “Lagos 5.0- Architecture and Real Estate Development” as its them.

Speaking about the award, the Chairman,of Lagos NIA, Arc. Ladipo Lewis said the excellence award for best local content is a special recognition of merit given to an indigenous company whose operation from sourcing raw materials to the processes of delivering the final product entails the utilisation of local contents in terms of value creation in the Nigerian economy, systematic capacity development, and the thoughtful use of material and human resources locally sourced. He added that West African Ceramics Ltd is one of such companies which have consistently stood out in local contents.

In a related development, Messrs Nigerite Limited, has been commended by architects, builders and town planners who participated in the Lagos Architects’ Forum.

Identified as a Corinthian Partner by the organisers, Nigerite delighted participants at the forum with the array of products exhibited at its stand. A Corinthian partner is regarded by the organisers as a first class partner.

Speaking at the exhibition stand, the Director of Facilities, University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the United States, Dr. Maurice Ngwaba said Nigerite has been contributing to the development of the built environment in Nigeria for years.He noted that the introduction of Nigerite products has helped the development of the industry.

“Nigerite is a tested and respected company in the country. Many of its products have created flexibility, thereby enabling architects and other building professionals to deliver quality jobs.”

A former president of Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc. Ibrahim Haruna said Nigerite has formulated and produced more quality products through research, pointing out that the company has evolved in its 55 years of existence of producing building materials into many other areas.

Also speaking, Dean, College of Environmental Science and Management, Caleb University, Prof. O. S. Okedele affirmed the contribution of Nigerite to the building industry. According to him, “we need to appreciate Nigerite’s contribution to the production of quality building materials which have kept the company ahead of competitors in the industry, stressing that its successes are also traceable to its alignment with some institutions of learning”.