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Luxurious Lagos Marriot Hotel, Ikeja Opens May 19, Promises Premium Service
By Michael Effiong Pix by Ken Ehimen & Marriot
The hospitality industry in Nigeria is about to witness a boost and attract global buzz as the luxurious and tastefully-decorated Lagos Marriot Hotel, opens its doors on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in upscale GRA, Ikeja.
Owned by McFolly Hospitality Ltd, a subsidiary of Sifax Group and managed by Marriot, the 5-star hotel offers guests an opportunity to enjoy world class service at a facility that has a homely, African feel, according to Mr. Chike Ogeah, MD, McFolly Hospitality Ltd.
Mr Bode Ojeniyi, Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mr Rudi Janse Van Rensburg, Mrs. Eniola Wunmi Jegede & Mr Chike Ogeah, MD, McFolly Hospitalilty Ltd
In his words at an interactive session with select media personalities anchored by Mr. Muyiwa Akande and Catherine Abuah (both of SIFAX Group), Mr Ogeah stated “I assure you that Lagosians and indeed Nigerians will be very proud of what we have to offer. The excellent service, the wonderful ambience, the classy and luxurious décor and the authentic African feel.
ATQ Publisher, Ikechi Uko, GM, Rudi Janse Van Rensburg with Editor, Ovation International, Michsel Effiong
“We are very happy to have partnered with Marriot on this project. We wanted the very best and now we have it right here in Nigeria. We are indeed very excited about what the future holds for this facility and our adventure in the hospitality industry.
The Presidential Suite
“Apart from its age-long track record, Marriot is a cosmopolitan brand that allows each facility to develop its individuality and that is one of the reason they were chosen as our partner.The culture and the class are effectively combined to give guests a wondrous experience at every visit”
Muyiwa Akande, Head, Corporate Communications, Sifax Group with Catherine Abuah, Group Head, Marketing, Sifax Group
Mr Ogeah noted that it was the idea of Sifax Chairman, Dr Taiwo Afolabi to work with Marriot from the get go. “It is a testament to his tenacity, vision and industry that we have arrived at this destination. I told him that this will be his biggest legacy. And when you go round you will see why”.
The 1000-capacity Ball Room
He said that Dr Afolabi, who is also Chairman, McFolly Hospitality Ltd contributed to the express delivery of the project with his expertise in the ports. “This was important in terms of bringing container load of equipment. The project cost is in the region of N45billion if not for his know-how, even N100billion would not have made this facility ready at this time”
Publisher, Maestromedia, Abiola Aloba, Chike Ogeah, Managing Director, McFolly Hospitality Ltd & Michael Effiong
He revealed that getting the Marriot partnership was no easy feat recounting how the inspectors checked and ensured that even the minutest of details were not overlooked.
Derikoko & Ko Restaurant
He noted that GRA Ikeja was strategically chosen because “We want to create that nexus between the aviation and the hospitality industry. We are located close to the airport on purpose, we want to make this place a hub. We are the only hotel I know that has a purpose-built Crew Lounge. He also noted that the hotel creates an opportunity for employment and knowledge transfer for Lagosians and Nigerians in general.
Also speaking at the event, Rudi Janse Van Rensburg, General Manager, Lagos Marriot Hotel, Ikeja revealed that the hotel is a magnificent property that has taken almost seven years to build.
The classy Pool Terrace
According to him, the hotel, with 11 floors, has 250 bedrooms made up of, 206 rooms, 41 (Junior & Senior suites ) and 3 (Vice Presidential and Presidential Suites).
In his words “The Presidential suite is on the top floor, it is 400 square metres in size and has a terrace with an amazing view of the Lagos skyline.
“The whole hotel is designed with the original African drum theme and thus, in terms of fittings, furnishing and art pieces, there are lines all around and you will see different gele style arts too”
“Sticking with the Marriot Philosophy of traveling brilliant, the Lagos Marriot Hotel boost of four wonderful outlets. The Idapo Lounge is one of the signature facilities in the hotel. It is what others would call a lobby but we have converted that space to a great room that creates conviviality for guests who would not like to stay in their rooms all day but also give them some privacy and alone space”
He also revealed that “the hotel has the Koriko & Ko Restaurant, which is an all day dining buffet restaurant, Azure Grill and Bar which is conceptualized like the typical local “point & Kill” joint where customers can enjoy the fish experience of eating with hands, Suya, other grills and Nigerian cuisine and the Wakame, an Asian Restaurant that will serve Thai, Northern Indian, Chinese and Japanese delicacies. This section in terms of the interior design, has a different look and feel from other parts of the hotel.
The General Manager also revealed that the Pool side terrace is another wonder to behold and is open for outside guests and parties while also stating that the gym and fitness centre is topnotch. In addition to parking space for 400 cars as well as valet parking.
The GM making his presentation
That is not all, the hotel has meeting rooms, board rooms and a 1000-capacity ball room that is second to none in the area.
Mr. Van Rensburg also stated that loyalty members (Marriot, Bonvoy and Starwood) will have super pampering at the M Club adding “ We are waiting anxiously to open and give each of our guests, excellent service the Marriot way”
The event, also attended by Executive Director, Business Development & Strategic Planning, Sifax Group, Mrs. Wunmi Eniola Jegede was rounded off with a thank you message by Executive Director, Corporate Services, Sifax Group, Mr. Bode Ojeniyi.
Mr Ojeniyi began by reacting to a question on pricing “The best things are not necessarily the cheapest. Here, we are offering value, we are offering premium quality and we offering class, not about the price but how we would make you feel”
In ended thus: “This is the best Marriot in the whole of sub Saharan Africa, come and enjoy it. Thank you”
Farotimi, on July 2, 2024, released a 116-page book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, setting the stage for a clash of interest resulting in petitions, persecutions, prosecutions and gagging of privileges and rights.
Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the 2023 ele tions, and a political ally of Farotimi, had volunteered to assist in helping embattled lawyer meet his bail conditions.
“He was only arrested after all attempts to make him come and explain himself proved abortive. He has been investigated and the case is already in court,” the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, explained.
But Farotimi’s lawyer, Temitope Temokun, countered the Police statement, saying his client was never invited by the Command
“He was invited by Zone 2 on two occasions, and he went there.
“But why would you be inviting somebody to Ekiti from Lagos on something that happened in Lagos? However, he was never invited, and if he had been invited, as a lawyer, I would advise him not to go.”
The situation erupted a discourse on various fora, further questioning the the credibility of the already discredited judiciary before some Nigerians, and further popularizing the said contentious book written by Farotimi.
The lawyer reasoned that, “The book was published in Lagos. The defendant has an office in Lagos. And under the Nigerian Criminal Justice System, the law is not that you have to go to where the defendant is, to go and try the accused. You have to try the accused where the act was committed, except he had escaped justice in another state.
“So if he didn’t do that, you cannot abduct him to that state that he didn’t escape to.”
However, on appearance at The Chief Magistrates Court in the Ado Ekiti Division, days later, he was ordered to be remanded in the state’s correctional centre pending consideration of his bail application.
In the fresh charge dated and filed December 6, Farotimi was alleged to have violated the Cybercrimes laws, when he on August 28, 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted a false communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on his YouTube Channel in respect of a book he authored and published with the titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.
According to the charge, Farotimi was alleged to have in the said broadcast interview claimed that, “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary”, a claim which he knew to be false information and made for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.
In count two, the defendant was said to have made the allegation “with the intention of bullying and harassing the named persons thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.”
In another charge, Farotimi was alleged to have on December 2, 2024, acknowledged that there was a charge preferred before a court in Ekiti State against him at the instance of Chief Afe Babalola.
“This preferred, hidden from view and the court had purportedly demanded my presence multiple times and failed to appear before the court and this Court had then proceeded to issue bench warrant for my arrest. This is classic Afe Babalola, I detailed his corruptive influence in my book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ which you know to contain false information for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended,” the charge read in part.
In count four, Farotimi was said to have described the charge in his online broadcast as “fraudulently preferred, hidden from view and the court had purportedly demanded my presence multiple times and I failed to appear before the court and this court had then proceeded to issue bench warrant for my arrest.”
The police further accused the defendant of bullying and harassing Babalola and other named persons when through his online broadcast alleged that after he sued Babalola for libel, “the machines of corruption went into overdrive and a case that should never have been killed at the preliminary stage was killed”.
Count 10 reads: That you Dele Farotimi on December 2, 2024 intentionally sent a message in the course of a press conference held on Online on your YouTube Channel, where you stated that: “I told the truth of his corruption of the society” which you know to contain false information for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence Contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.
On December 10, his case was further moved to December 20 when he was granted N30 million bail. The bail conditions were completed on December 24 when he was released.
Though Farotimi is released, his freedom, which came at a cost, is not completely guaranteed as he will remain a regular visitor to courts until the final determination, which is likely to drag to the Supreme Court.
(4.00 out of 5) from the site which was based on five critic reviews.
The release of the book was accompanied by a public dispute between Dele Farotimi and Afe Babalola, In a controversial development a court in Nigeria issued an injunction halting the further production, distribution, and sale of Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The decision came following a lawsuit filed by Babalola, who alleged that certain portions of the book contained defamatory statements and misrepresentations about individuals and institutions within the Nigerian criminal justice system.
Headline
Maiden Media Chat: I’m Not Ready to Shrink My Cabinet, Tinubu Declares, Defends Subsidy Removal, Insists on Tax Reforms
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, on Monday firmly defended his administration’s decision to retain his cabinet members, dismissing criticisms that it is “bloated.”
“I am not ready to shrink the size of my cabinet,” Tinubu stated during his first Presidential Media Chat in Lagos.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” he reiterated, emphasising that “efficiency” has guided his ministerial appointments.
The president also addressed concerns about the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, reaffirming his stance that the decision was unavoidable.
“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future; we were just deceiving ourselves. That reform was necessary,” he said.
According to Tinubu, the removal of the subsidy has fostered competition in the sector, leading to a gradual reduction in petrol prices.
“The market is being saturated. No monopoly, no oligopoly, a free market economy flowing,” he explained.
Tinubu rejected the idea of price control, asserting his belief in the principles of a free market.
“I don’t believe in price control. We will work hard to supply the market,” he said.
On managing electricity bills, which has tripled since the tariff hike for Band A customers, the president advised Nigerians to adopt better energy management practices.
“It’s not negative to learn to manage. You learn to control your electricity bill, switch off the light. Let’s learn to manage,” Tinubu urged.
On controversial tax reform bills, which have divided the northern and southern parts of the country, the president said “no going back”.
“Tax reform is here to stay; we cannot just continue to do what we were doing years to years in today’s economy. We cannot retool this economy with the old broken books, and I believe I have that capacity that is why I went into the race,” Tinubu said.
“I am focused on what Nigeria needs and what I must do for Nigeria, it is not just going to be eldorado for everybody, but the new dawn is here, I am convinced, and you should be convinced.”
The former governor of Lagos State expressed confidence in his security chiefs, arguing the country is more secure than he met it.
He said, “Today, I have confidence in my security architecture. It is very, very unfortunate that, you know, two decades of wanton killing. I remember when I jumped into the campaign, I had to stop the campaign to pay condolence visits to Madiburi, Katsina, Kajuna, Kola. Today, you can still travel the roads. Before now, it was impossible. It took one incident to mess up an organized environment.”
”I am not probing anybody or service chiefs, you cannot disrespect the institution because of the threat of probe. Give them credit for what they are doing, I am proud of what they are doing today.’’
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, presented the proposed 2025 federal budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The N47.9 trillion budget saw a whopping N3.5 trillion allocated to the education sector.
Other sectors that got higher allocations include defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn and health – N2.4tn.
“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this distinguished joint session of the National Assembly, the 2025 Budget of the National Assembly of Nigeria titled, ‘The Restoration Budget’ security peace, building prosperity,” Tinubu said as he concluded his 30-minute presentation at 1:10pm.
This budget highlights the government’s focus on improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure, in line with its ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ aimed at boosting the economy and addressing key national priorities.
The live broadcast of the budget presentation today revealed the government’s plans for the next fiscal year. With a strong emphasis on human capital development, the president highlighted the budget’s commitment to improving the nation’s economic foundation.
Education sector receives major funding
A significant portion of the 2025 budget is dedicated to education, with N3.5 trillion allocated to the sector. President Tinubu stated that part of this funding would be directed toward infrastructure development, including support for Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the establishment of nine new higher educational institutions.
“We have made provision for N826.90 billion for infrastructural development in the education sector,” Tinubu said.
This allocation aims to improve educational facilities and support ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s educational system.
Focus on human capital development
During the presentation, the president emphasized the importance of investing in Nigeria’s human capital. “Human capital development, our people are our greatest resource. That is why we are breaking record investment in education, healthcare, our social services,” he remarked.
Tinubu also pointed to the N34 billion already disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to assist over 300,000 students.
The budget includes continued investments in healthcare and social services as part of the broader goal of enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians.
Strengthening the economy and national security
Tinubu highlighted that the 2025 budget is designed to build a robust economy while addressing critical sectors necessary for growth and security.
“This budget reflects the huge commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy, while addressing the critical sectors essential for the growth and development we envision; and secure our nation,” he said.
The budget aims to tackle key challenges and foster long-term economic stability by prioritizing infrastructure and development in key sectors.
Healthcare and social services allocations
In addition to education, Tinubu focused on the allocation for healthcare and social services. The government plans to increase investments in healthcare infrastructure and services to ensure broader access to essential healthcare for Nigerians.
These investments are part of the administration’s strategy to improve overall living conditions and enhance public health across the country.
President Tinubu’s proposed 2025 budget is said to reflect the administration’s commitment to achieving its development objectives, with a focus on economic growth, human capital development, and infrastructure improvement.
As the National Assembly reviews the budget, the president reiterated his administration’s resolve to address the nation’s most pressing needs.
Source: Nairametrics
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