The Lagos Airport Hotel, located in Ikeja, is ringing the drums to commemorate its 80 years of service to the hospitality sector.
The luxury hotel was founded in 1942 as an owner-operated establishment with five rooms and was given the name “Grand Hotel, Lagos” by the British owner Mr. Joseph Harold.
In 1956, Mr. Harold changed the name to “Ikeja Arms Inn.”
The defunct Western Region, headed by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as premier, invested much in the hotel soon after gaining independence from Britain.
In 1976, states in the southwest geopolitical zone acquired control of the hotel as a result of the Indigenisation Decree issued by the administration of retired general Olusegun Obasanjo.
During that time, Obasanjo nationalized UK assets in Nigeria for assisting the apartheid regime in South Africa, and Nigeria was one of the frontline states in the fight to end it.
Some British-owned businesses were affected by that directive.
The Ikeja Airport Hotel was given a new name by its new owners, the states of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Lagos, and was added to the group of companies known as Oodua Investments Company Ltd.
Princess Olufunnke Olugboji, the hotel’s board chair, revealed to reporters in Ikeja that the hotel has set aside October 21–25 to celebrate 80 years of uninterrupted service.
She claimed that the hotel’s resilience over the course of its 80-year history was a result of its continual deployment of capable management teams and supervisors.
She mentioned that the hotel’s management intended to modernize its amenities, enhance customer service, and encourage loyal repeat business from its prized visitors.
She continued by saying that hotel management was exerting great effort to grow the property’s market share.
“Lagos Airport Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Nigeria that sustained its services since its establishment in 1942, providing exceptional hospitality services to its numerous customers.
“To the glory of God, the hotel since 1942, has weathered the storm and remains standing in spite of all odds; even after all of its contemporaries have gone into extinction.
“It has remained the hotel of choice, serving generations through professionalism, personalised services, accessible location, security, and courteous and friendly staff which make the hotel a perfect home away from home.
“The hotel is continually making guests’ satisfaction its priority,’’ she stressed.
In order to partner with investors and worldwide companies within its group, Odu’a Investment Company Ltd. is making a lot of effort to elevate the hotel to a pedestal on a global scale, according to Olugboji.
“Our hotel will be celebrating its 80th anniversary from Oct. 21 to 25. To make it a worthwhile event, we have lined up various activities to herald our eight decades of excellent hospitality services.
“The celebration is kicking off with a Jumat Service at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja and a poolside entertainment follows.
“On Saturday, Oct. 22, the hotel staff and the public will enjoy free medical services and there will also be a novelty football match between Eko Hotel and Suites and the Lagos Airport Hotel followed by entertainment at the poolside.
“On Sunday, Oct. 23, a thanksgiving service will be held at the Archbishop Vinning Memorial Cathedral Church, GRA, Ikeja.
“On the evening of the same day, there will be light entertainment at the hotel’s poolside as well,’’ Olugboji said.
She claims that the anniversary lecture on “Culture, Tourism, and Hospitality as Agents of Economic Growth in the Southwest region” will serve as the grand finale on Tuesday, October 25.
The governors of the owning states would attend the celebration, she said, as special guests of honor.
Earlier, the hotel’s general manager, Mrs. Folashade Awe, highlighted that there are 277 rooms available for rent and that they are furnished with contemporary hotel amenities to enhance visitors’ stays.
“The hotel’s cuisine is another area of strength as the chefs are ever ready to provide sumptuous continental and indigenous meals to the delight of our guests.
“In spite all economic and environmental odds, the hotel is still flourishing and constantly reinventing and has continued to offer distinctive and standard hospitality services to all and sundry,’’ Awe said.
