She gave the charge at the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) Lagos branch Women’s Wing general meeting and business luncheon, titled: ‘Estate Planning: Legal Perspective and Women’s Health Matters’ held in Lagos.
Adegbile explained that since no law stops women from having investments, estate surveyors should own investments, lands, stocks and shares, bank accounts, insurance policies and pension plans in their names.
“Gone are the days when women were disallowed from owning property. A woman has a right to own property as a citizen. They can buy land and other assets, own it by themselves and for their children,” she said.
However, Adegbile emphasised the need to organise the assets and liabilities, especially how the investments will be distributed upon death as a lot of funds in the financial sector go uncollected when a person transits due to death.
The effects of neglecting to plan an estate include the possibility of property falling into the wrong hands, the impossibility of persons deserving the assets not having access to them and the government taking over such property.
“Don’t buy property in a non-existent name; seek legal advice before committing funds into any property and buying property in the name of your children. Only an insignificant number of people possess a valid will or any will at all. The estate of a person who dies without a will is governed by the law of intestate succession with its attendant cost, delays and hassles,” Adegbile emphasised.
She said a will is necessary for the sake of the children, to show kindness and appreciation, social and economic security for the family and exclusion of statutory rules of inheritance among others.
Coordinator, NIESV Lagos Women Wing, Mrs Olutosin Bamigbola, said the forum was organised to empower and inspire women professionals in the building industry. To attain the objectives of the association, she urged members to join committees as their skills and perspectives are invaluable towards collective success.
Bamigbola disclosed that the association has planned more impactful capacity development programmes for members and charged them to be the leading branch for the women’s wing nationwide.
Chairman of NIESV National Women’s Wing, Toyin Agbalaya, encouraged members to mentor the young ladies in the profession to attain more growth, and reverse mentoring. She lauded the Lagos wing for the growth recorded, especially around increased membership.
The Chairman of the NIESV Lagos branch, Gbenga Ismail, commended the women’s wing for growing the association and improving participation in their activities. He commended the executives for their hard work and urged them never to relent in their services to the branch.
Earlier, medical doctors, Akinwande Tolulope and Bodunrin Osikomaiya advised the practitioners to prioritise sleep, and promote a safe and sustainable blood system, adding, “We should not treat sleep like an enemy. Your brain will not function well if you don’t get enough sleep. Sleep helps the body to recover.”
