•The Chief Promoter, Reveals A Lot
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi is the CEO/GMD of SIFAX Group. He is also one of Nigeria’s leading businessmen. He is truly a big businessman who sits atop a flourishing conglomerate called SIFAX Group that plays in so many sectors. His latest foray is in the Hospitality business.
His latest project Lagos Marriott Hotel has just been launched. At the event, the SIFAX boss revealed how he conceived the idea of this world-class hotel. Below are excerpts of his welcome speech at the launch of the hotel.
I welcome you to the grand opening of our ultra-modern Lagos Mariott Hotel Ikeja. What we are commissioning today is a physical manifestation of a vision which is almost a decade old and the construction work of over 6 years. As an international businessman and a frequent traveller, I have been privileged to experience premium hospitality services across the globe, in the worlds leading hotels. It is my conviction that Nigerians deserve these premium services, and that is exactly what this new hotel is set to offer Nigerians from today.
I am proud to inform you that this hotel is unarguably one of the best-managed hotel’s properties you can find anywhere in Africa, and ranks globally in terms of facilities and equipment. Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja is a partnership between a renowned global hotel brand, Marriot International & the Sifax Group, a conglomerate with investments in various sectors of Nigeria’s economy including Marine, Aviation, Oil & Gas, Haulage commercial services and hospitality. The hotel built on 11 floors, has various facilities, VIP Lounges, a 400 capacity car park, 306 standard rooms, exquisite presidential suites, a well-equipped Gym and Continental restaurants among others. The security of our guests is of utmost importance to us. That is why well trained and courteous security team have been engaged to provide cover for staff and guests, aside from the well proof doors and windows in the hotel.
The reason for a multibillion investment like this can not be overemphasised, especially in an economy like ours which is grappling with various kinds of economic challenges and the Oil revenue is dwindling by the day and the government is focusing aggressively on development in the non-oil sector. I wish to submit that one area that more attention should be demoted to by the government and private investors is Tourism. Our country is blessed with natural and man-made tourism attractions across the country especially in our dear state of Lagos. These sites if well harnessed could generate incredible foreign exchange to boost the economy…
The Tourism industry cannot be developed without a functional hospitality subsector of which is the Hotel business… Another major development objective and economic impact this hotel will have is Job Creation. Our plan is to create about 5,000 jobs, both direct and Indirect, through this hotel in the next couple of years.
Let me use this opportunity to allay the fears expressed by many distinguished personalities that have visited this hotel, as we prepared for this launch. While they were all excited about the quality of equipment facilities and the promised top-notch customer experience, they believed that standards could be lowered and facilities not being well-maintained. I want to assure you that we have a Management Agreement with the Franchise owners, Marriott Hotel, for the running hotel. The involvement of the promoters will only be limited to supervision, post-launch, through our hospitality subsidiary Macfolly Hospitality Limited. Aside from this management arrangement with Marriot Hotel, our brand, the SIFAX Group is noted for adherence to standards and raising the bar of quality service in all the sectors we operate. That is one of the secrets of our success in the last 33 years of being in business. The best hands in the industry have been recruited and they have gone through intensive training that will guarantee peak performance and deliver excellent service to our guests. All the hard work of the last 6 years have come together in this magnificent edifice which is going to set new standards in the nations hospitality business. Our guests will be treated to the best premium service they can access anywhere around the world. Be rest assured, that we will pamper you and treat you right…I welcome you to the new season of exquisite hospitality experience at Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
