http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/en/tourism/item/14103-golden-tulip-hotel-berths-in-ibadan.htmlGolden Tulip Hotel berths in Ibadan Written by 'Wale Olapade Wednesday, 12 June 2013 00:00
The adage that ‘a journey of a thousand mile starts with a step’, came to play as a 14-year-dream of building an edifice that will not only service the needs of genuine hospitality seekers, but also serve the test of time, joined the hotel business in Oyo State.
Golden Tulip, Owu Crown Hotel Ibadan, made a grand entrance into the hospitality industry as the first international brand in the city of the firsts as it was inaugurated recently, to offer international standard, local flavour and continental style to the people of Ibadan.
The grand opening which did not only herald the international brand, but also stepped up hotel services while also creating employment and adding values to the aesthetic splendour of the host community played host to who is who in the South Western states of Nigeria.
The roll call at the Golden Tulip, Ibadan, was a testimony of the brand’s successes in Nigeria as it had in attendance big players in Nigerian hotels and resorts in the likes of Odu’a Investment Group, owners of the Western Hotels, Mic Com Golf Resort, Protea Ikeja, Living Spring Hotel, Osogbo among others.
Others include former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chairman of MicCom Golf Hotel, Chief Tunde Ponle, and Ikolaba of Ibadan, Chief Lekan Alabi, who represented the Are Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Arisekola Alao, Group Managing Director, Odu’a Investment Company, Mr Adebayo Jimoh, Chairman Protea Ikeja, Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi, traditional rulers and clerics.
Speaking at the opening of the hotel, a former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was represented by the former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola expressed high hope on the services of the state-of the-art luxury hotel is going to offer to leisure and conference seekers. Chief Obasanjo who said his absence was not deliberate, added that he is optimistic that the experience and wonderful treat he got few days before the inauguration of the hotel was a confirmation that the owners have done a good job at bringing a world brand to the doorstep of the people.
Oyinlola also commended Alhaji Fatai Akinbade for investing his time, energy and money in stepping up hotel business in Ibadan, describing the hotel as a gigantic project. Bishop Wale Oke who also graced the ceremony commended Alhaji Akinbade for his foresight, touch of sophistication at locating a world brand hotel in Ibadan, and prayed that the purpose of establishing the outfit will continue to flourish in the state’s hospitality industry.
“We have longed for this and thanked God that you were used to make this a reality, I prayed that all you need to sustain this business will always be at your disposal.” While welcoming guests at the ceremony, the Chairman, Golden Tulip, Owu Crown Hotel, Ibadan, Alhaji Akinbade, said that an international brand is long overdue for the Ibadan hospitality sector.
According to him, the hotel project was conceived over 14 years ago with the objective of intervening in the hospitality industry in this part of the country, which is regarded as the economic nerve centre of Nigeria. ‘The beauty and aesthetics you see here today was because of the time, money and efforts we invested to make it a reality.
“This hotel is proud of 150 workers trained specifically to meet the service request of all departments in the Golden Tulip Ibadan with reference to customers’ needs, comfort and satisfaction. “In addition, the hotel is equipped with the-state-of-the-art facilities that can compete with any international hotel and we thanked the management of Protea, South Africa for setting the standard for the hotel to achieve the befitting edge in terms of fittings and fixtures.
“I want to assure you that the management and staff of Golden Tulip Hotel chain are not only poised to taking the hospitality industry in Ibadan to the next level through our sustainable customer-friendly culture, but also to chart a new course in the economic viability of the host state,” Alhaji Akinbade said. |