On Wednesday 19th May, 2021, the new Marriott Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos was declared opened by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was ably represented by Information Minister, Alhaji Layi Mohammed. It was a star-studded event that attracted top dignitaries and captains of industry. Below are gists from the event.
Have you heard about the new Marriott Hotel in Lagos located at 122 Joel Ogunnaike Street, Ikeja GRA? That is the new hotel where many international visitors and business travellers stay.
Finally, the much awaited opening of this 5 star hotel took place last Wednesday, amidst pomp and pageantry.
Many prominent Nigerians stormed the grand event.
In attendance were top government functionaries, traditional rulers, politicians and captains of industry. The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was ably represented by Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Interior Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was there, so also former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Lagos Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Chief Host was there with his Commissioners and top government officials. The Governor of Jigawa was there. Some former governors like Senator Ibikunle Amosun also came. He was there with his beautiful wife, Olufunsho.
It was an array of traditional rulers who looked colourful in their royal outfits. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi was there. Oba Saheed Elegushi was there with his beautiful olori Sekinat. The Oluwo of Iwoland stood out in his new royal outfit and crown. The Alara of Ilara kingdom, Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo stood tall and exuded sartorial elegance. The Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Alao whose olori just delivered twins was the cynosure of all eyes. The Banquet Hall of the new Marriott Hotel was star-studded that night as the event which started at 6 pm ended at about 9 pm with a cocktail held at the poolside.
One person who felt so delighted at the successful outcome of the Grand Opening was the owner of the magnificent hotel Dr Taiwo Afolabi (MON), the Group Executive Vice-Chairman of SIFAX Group. He looked ever so handsome along with his beautiful wife, Folasade, who is a leading Lady of Style in Nigeria.
FROM THE BANQUET HALL TO THE SWIMMING SIDE
The new Marriott Hotel in Lagos is a beautiful hotel. It is a sight to behold. It is called different names. Some call it Marriott Lagos Ikeja. Others call it Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja. The commissioning ceremony took place inside the Banquet Hall with Ali Baba, the ace comedian as M.C.
ABOUT THE MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL HOTEL GROUP
The new Lagos Marriott Hotel located at No 122 Joel Ogunnaike Street, Ikeja GRA is part of the Marriot Hotel Group Worldwide. Marriott International, Inc. is an American multinational company that operates, franchises, and licenses lodging including hotel, residential, and timeshare properties.
It began operations in the Middle East in 1980 with the opening of the Riyadh Marriott Hotel in Saudi Arabia. The first hotel in Africa followed in 1982 with the opening of the 1,106-room Cairo Marriott Hotel and Omar Al Khayyam Casino.
Over the past few years, its expansion has grown in the Middle East and Africa region, entering new markets and introducing new brands, including Protea Hotels in 2014 and the Autograph Collection in 2015. Today, the region has over 260 properties in operation, with another 160 properties in the pipeline. Marriott International’s current portfolio in Africa encompasses close to 140 properties with more than 24,000 rooms across 14 brands and 20 countries and territories.
It currently operates 61 hotels in South Africa. With over 500 hotels and resorts in 65 countries and territories around the world, Marriott Hotels is evolving travel through every aspect of the guest’s stay, enabling the next generation to Travel Brilliantly.
Year-to-date, the company has opened 5 new properties in the Middle East and is expected to add 14 more, bringing its portfolio across the region and Africa to nearly 270 properties and more than 60,000 rooms by the end of the year. The U.S.-based hotel chain is the worlds biggest, after its merger with Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2016. … Today Marriott’s annual revenue tops $14.5 billion.
It is the leading hotel companies worldwide as at 2020, by number of guestrooms. In 2020, Marriott International had roughly 1.4 million guestrooms worldwide. Marriott accounted for nearly 427 thousand more hotel rooms than top competitor Hilton Worldwide that year.
FORMER PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN LOOKED GOOD
Former President Goodluck Jonathan looked handsome in his usual Niger-Delta, traditional outfit. He came in very early and he was conducted round the new hotel by the owner. He spoke during the launching. He spoke for about 25 minutes, and went back to his seat beside former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who ordered him to go back and speak on his behalf.
OLUWO OF IWOLAND STEALS SHOW
One traditional ruler who stole the show at the Launch Event was HRM Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwoland. He has stepped up his fashion style. He now wears a new type of embroidered crown and usually puts on a hood like the Emirs. He calls himself a new traditional style of Yoruba king. He describes himself as a Digital King with a Digital crown, who rules with ideas. He says with him, “there is no more stagnation to customs, culture and traditional values of the Great Yoruba people”. He was the cynosure of all eyes as he moved round the hotel. He is a close friend of Prince Afolabi.
WHY ALL THE OBAS LIKE OONI
At the event many of the Obas present gravitated towards the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. This is because the Ooni is very accommodating and treats all fellow Obas as Brothers. The Ooni is close to SIFAX boss, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, (MON) the Group Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Sifax Group.
ABOUT THE GALAXY OF KINGS
The event witnessed a gathering of Obas. The Ooni of Ife was there. So also Oba Saidi Elegushi & his beautiful wife, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, the Oluwo of Iwoland and the Onikate of Ikate, Oba Lateef Adams who came with his Olori.
TIMI DAKOLO THRILLED GUESTS
The artiste of the day was Timi Dakolo who looked sharp in his dark suit. He rendered all his popular songs, especially his song on NIGERIA which stuck a chord in guests.
BIG BOYS TROOPED OUT FOR DR. TAIWO AFOLABI
The launch of the new MARRIOTT Hotel attracted the attendance of a lot of Big Boys, under one roof. Ijebu-born, Paper Merchant, Bayo Abdul was there in an all-white kaftan, with a white designer shoes. Aviation expert, Lai Oriowo was there also. He has added a bit of weight, though.
SEE THE LIST OF VVIPS
The event was star-studded. Lagos Speaker, Obasa there. He came in mid way into the event in a lovely trad with his No 1 cap to match. Senator Ganiyu Solomon GOS was there also. He sat in one corner. Hajia Bola Shagaya was there. Tourism guru, Folly Coker was also there. The owner of Bellview Airline, now First Nation, Kayode Odukoya was also in attendance. Clearing & Forwarding guru, LAMEX also came with his beautiful wife.
THE RETURN OF SENATOR IBIKUNLE AMOSUN
For sometime now, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has been missing in action. Since early last year, he has kept a low profile and has abstained from socials. Apart from his legislative duties at the Senate, the distinguished Senator who is eyeing the Presidency, has kept off other activities that will attract attention to him, as a person, whilst he digs deep with his strategies for 2023. He was at the launch with his ever beautiful, and ever gorgeous wife, Olufunsho who looked radiant at the launch. There was no hiding place for Senator Ibikunle Amosun who wore his trademark Fila gogoro Cap.
LAGOS HEAD OF SERVICE & CHIEF OF STAFF LED CABINET MEMBERS
At the launch, there was a large dose of Lagos State government officials. The Chief of Staff to the Governor was there, so also the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri Okunola LAGOS Tourism Commissioner also came. There were many Lagos Commissioners & the Governors top aide in attendance.
GOV. SANWO OLU looked TRENDY
Give it to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu, he is one Governor who looks trendy all the time. He looked debonair at the event. He dressed down in his suit, without a tie on and wore lovely trainers to match. He spoke for about 30 minutes, saluting the courage of Dr. Afolabi in giving birth to the project.
He told Dr. Afolabi to be prepared to build a 2nd Marriott in Lekki on a piece of land he would be giving to him facing the Atlantic”. Lekki needs a Marriott Hotel like this”, he said.
PASTOR ITUAH LOOKING GOOD
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo is a great dresser. He usually looks smashing in suits. He was the one who gave the Opening prayer. He was at his best, as the spirit of God came down through his prayers. He is a friend to Dr. Afolabi.
DR. AFOLABI’S WIFE, FOLASADE STEPS OUT
Folasade Afolabi is the beautiful wife of SIFAX boss, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi. She does not like publicity, she came out at the event to support her husband. She sat next to him all through the event. She is a woman of style, who makes other celebrity women beautiful. She is into fabrics.
ABOUT LAGOS POLICE COMMISSIONER, CP HAKEEM ODUMOSU & WIFE
Hardly do you see the Lagos Police Commissioner, CP Hakeem Odumosu and his beautiful wife, Princess Abiodun Folashade Odumosu together at functions. This is because the Lagos CP who is forever busy, hardly attends functions. But his wife does. She is a society woman of note. This time around both came. He looked good in his Agbada, whilst his wife wore a lacy white dress.
MARRIOTT MANAGEMENT PROMISES PREMIUM SERVICE
Marriott International, Inc. is a leading global lodging company with more than 7,600 properties in 133 countries and territories. The company that began in 1927 as a 9-seat A&W root beer stand in Washington, DC is recognized today as a top employer and for its superior business operations. It continuously create extraordinary experiences for its guests, generate strong economic returns for it’s owners and franchisees, and provide outstanding career opportunities for it’s associates. In 2016, Marriott acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts, making the chain of hotels the largest and most global lodging company in the world.
J. Willard and Alice Marriott’s modest 9-stool root beer stand grew into the Hot Shoppes Restaurant chain and evolved into today’s Marriott International. Our company was built on a foundation of guiding principles that remain embedded in the company’s culture.
At Marriott, innovation is in their DNA. They continuously search for inventive ways to serve our customers, provide opportunities for their associates, and grow our business. From new brands, groundbreaking guest solutions, cutting edge technology and design, explore highlights from their 90 year history.
DO YOU KNOW MARRIOTT CORE VALUES?
Many of the top guns in Marriott spoke about the uniqueness of the Marriott brand. According to them, “As Marriott changes and grows, our business strategy remains firmly rooted in our values”. The core values are: (1) Put People First: “Take care of the associates and they will take care of the customers, and the customers will come back again and again.” This is our founder’s philosophy. It has made Marriott a great place to work for over 90 years.(2) Pursue Excellence: Our dedication to the customer shows in everything we do. We take pride in the details—every day, in every destination worldwide. (3) Embrace Change: Innovation has always been part of the Marriott story. We’re driven to anticipate our customers’ changing needs with new brands, new global locations and new guest experiences. (4) Act with Integrity: How we do business is as important as the business we do. We hold ourselves to uncompromising ethical and legal standards. (5) Serve Our World: Our “spirit to serve” makes our company stronger. We support the communities where we live and work.
WHY MARRIOTT IS UNIQUE
Many don’t know that each Marriott International-branded hotel is supported by a robust global distribution platform and an innovative sales and marketing network that delivers high-value guests through state-of-the-art technology, global negotiating power, and extensive shared services to ensure more return on investment for its owners.
The most experienced team in the industry provides robust owner and franchisee benefits and services, from development through ongoing operations to help you achieve your business objectives. Marriott’s commitment to Communication and Transparency builds mutually beneficial long-term relationships, evidenced by the fact that the majority of our pipeline is owned by multi-unit partners. According to them, we succeed when you do.
“At Marriott, we never stop searching for inventive ways to serve our customers, provide opportunities for our associates, and grow our business. The company that began as a nine-seat A&W root beer stand is recognized today as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world.
ALI BABA DID A GOOD JOB
The M.C for the event was ace comedian, Ali Baba. And he did a good job. He handled the event with a lot of maturity. Only an Ali Baba could have handled all the big VIP’s who showed up at the event, especially former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who Ali is fond of. When OBJ decided he wasn’t going to speak at the event, it was Ali who stylish encouraged him to speak.
THE MAN BEHIND THE GREAT IDEA
That was how someone described Dr. Taiwo Afolabi (MON) the Group Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO SIFAX Group, a conglomerate. His new MARRIOTT Hotel is owned by the Mac-Folly Hospitality Group which Dr. Afolabi is the CEO. He told his guests at the launch that the new MARRIOTT Hotel will provide premium hospitality services. He says Nigerians deserve the best. He explained that the Management of the hotel which took 6 yrs to build has recruited the best hands in the business. “We would pamper you and treat you right”, he promised. He said Mac-Folly hospitality services has a Management Agreement with franchise owners. “Our plan is to create 5,000 jobs, both direct & indirect/ We shall adhere to standards. We shall set new standards.”
