The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Eko Hotel

  • Customers’ time at Eko Hotel

    As a way of giving back to its customers, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos has unveiled attractive discounts on its services and leisure activities to promote a fun-filled celebration.

    Reservations Manager, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, Mr. Ayodeji Adewale, said the hotel uses the season to market lots of its services and facilities with the intention of making them affordable to many of its customers.

    Adedeji, who spoke with writers in his office in Lagos, said the packages (50 per cent discount for room charges and breakfast) will run till January 8, 2019.

    He disclosed that during this yuletide season, about 60 per cent of the rooms have been fully booked, adding that the packages are also available during Easter celebration, Independence anniversary, among others.

    “In the past, people will be thinking of going abroad for holidays. Since the recession period people have changed their attitudes as they prefer to stay back in Nigeria, holidaying in their choice destination, which is Eko Hotel and Suites. We had packages for Christmas, which is the most prominent of all. We have for Easter, Independence anniversary and others. During this holiday season we are trying to market a lot of things to enable people use our facilities, especially the rooms. To do that, in most cases we reduce our room rates by fifty per cent. For example standard room is about 90,000 naira per night but for the season it is put at 45,000 naira with complementary breakfast. We usually exclude our rates for breakfast. But this season we added complimentary breakfast not for one person but for two persons so that a family can come in.

    “On 1 January, the hotel hosted concerts featuring stars such as Wizkid, Davido and others, who are in showbiz. For now, about 60 per cent of the rooms have been booked for the season for people to come with their families,” he said.

    According to Adedeji, at Eko Hotel during this season customers will not pay for the swimming pool and the gym, saying it is a time the hotel gives back to the society after they have done a good business for the year.

    He noted that all the hotel expects from its customers is loyalty. “The environment itself stands them out as it is quite conducive for everybody, such that one can stay for four days without being bored. We are trying to be a leisure conscious hotel, but we do not forget the business angle of it. The hotel is 80 per cent business and by that time of the period the business is coming up again. They have to switch from leisure type of hotel and go back to their businesses,” he added.

  • Foundation launches programme for young entrepreneurs 

    A non-governmental organization, Esther Ajayi Foundation has launched a Youth Empowerment Seminars (YES) that will provide useful tips to young entrepreneurs in becoming successful in their business or chosen professions.

    The foundation, which is the brainchild of Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, General Overseer, Love of Christ C&S Church Clapham, London, said that the initiative was a means to inspire youths with real life experiences and how they could become their own bosses.

    The programme Themed “Developing Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs Today”, was held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja Lagos.

    A UK-based motivational speaker and an award-winning trainer and entrepreneur Mrs. Bebe Clement in her addressed said there entrepreneurs should learn the habit of saving and culture of investment.

    “You (youths) should be able to set up a business in vocations and professions that you have passion for. Don’t be in a hurry to begin something because everyone around you had done so, but develop ideas that will stand the test of time” she said.

    Also, Dr. Aderemi Banjoko, a Medical Practitioner turned avid investor, trader and financial expert.

    In his own remarks, urged the youths to make the best use of their time and data by engaging in online trading and other forms of online businesses that have low start-up capital and are low risk.

    While the host, Rev. Mother Ajayi in her address said it was better the youths are taught on to fish, rather than being giving one so that they can flourish on their own.

    “I am not here to give you fish, rather to teach you how to fish so that you will be self-sustaining for the rest of your lives,” She stated.

    Read Also: MTN Foundation hosts masterclass for music scholars

     

    “there is no country you can call your own expect here and your love for this country is important , Cause when you love your country you will not want evil to happen to that country Nigeria need our positive attitude, don’t be violent election is coming don’t do anything bad it won’t help”

    In an interview with one of the participant Olayinka Egungohun a student of Yaba College of technology (yabatech) said the empowerment focus of the event was what attracted to the programme.

    “Have learnt a lot from this event like how to invest myself and I met a lot of experienced entrepreneurial   who made this programme more interactive” she said.

    Another participant Daniel Chibuzor Amant also said the programme focus on investment was an eye opener for him.

    “I have been here looking at the focus, identifying that the youth are the future of this country and they have to be empowered, Firstly we have to change our mind set to be business minded. This opportunity has been positive to me in particular”.

    “I was able to understand what financial literacy is, how to identify finance, how to spend your money and investment” he said

    The organizer, Rev. Mother Ajayi revealed that the programme will now be held four times every year, and the first in 2019 will come up at Eko Hotel & Suites on March 20

    Discussants at the session included Monilola Oladiti, Prophet Israel Oladele Genesis, Gbaniro Bamigbe Olarofimi, Ohis Imiere, Doyinsola Ola, Mojisola Niran-Oladeinni and Toyin Okuyiga.

  • Burna Boy still on the run – Police

    Burna Boy still on the run – Police

    Nigeria Singer and Dancehall star Damini Ogulu a.k.a Burna Boy, is on the run over alleged robbery and battery.

    The Songwriter was alleged to have battered and robbed his fellow musician Mr 2Kay, at gun point in his hotel room at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, recently during the “Buckwyld N Breathless” concert

    The Lagos State Acting Police Commissioner Edgal Imohimi had on Monday declared reggae-dance –hall singer wanted.

    Imohimi at a news conference said that four armed robbers carried out the attack and detectives were able to arrest one of their girlfriend identified as ‘Matejero’.

    He said that during interrogation, the robbers confessed that they were hired by Burna boy through his manager, Joel Kantiock,  who was arrested in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    They confessed to receiving a part payment of N50, 000 before the job and another N50, 000 was paid to the robbers directly by Burna Boy when the job was done.

    Burna Boy’s  record label Spaceship Entertainment on Tuesday issued a statement saying that the singer honoured the police invitation on Monday and he has been cooperating with the police.

    The police command however debunked the statement by his (Burna boy’s) management that he honoured their invitation on Monday.

    A statement released on Wednesday by police spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) said “Burna Boy” is yet to report himself to the police and still on the run contrary to reports making rounds on the internet that the musician has honoured police Invitation.

    “The command would also like to inform the public that only Burna Boy’s father; one Samuel Ogulu visited the investigating Police Officer (IPO) in-charge of the case with the promise to bring Burna Boy before the police.

    “ The Command however uses this medium to urge Burna Boy’s father and relatives to do right by bringing the musician and turning him in to the law catches up with him.

    The command also assured that justice will be done.

  • Buhari’s visit to Turkey attracts 23 companies

    Buhari’s visit to Turkey attracts 23 companies

    Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to Turkey to boost bilateral trade, 23 Turkish electrical manufacturing  companies will  visit Nigeria this week to meet buyers and distributors.

    The Managing Director of Naijalink Ltd., Mrs Thessa Bagu, said this in Lagos that the visit would strengthen trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Turkey.

    Naijalinks, a local firm, connected foreign companies willing to do business in Nigeria to local buyers or sellers.

    “Following renewed Turkish-Nigerian commitments to boost bilateral trade, a Turkish electronics and electrical goods trade mission will, this week, be visiting Nigeria for meetings with local buyers and distributors.

    “This trade mission is coming only weeks after President Buhari visited Turkey to strengthen trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Turkey.

    “Under the ambit of the Turkish Electro Technology Exporters’ Association ( TET ) – a professional body representing over 7,500 companies – the trade mission will showcase advanced Turkish white goods, electronics, cables and electrical production and distribution equipment,’’ she said.

    Bagu said that the mission would comprise Turkish manufacturers, representing companies across consumer electronics and appliances, lighting, cables, electrical transmission and distribution equipment, industrial automation products and specialised cables.

    She said that the mission, to be led by the Vice Chairman of TET Board, Mr Mehmet Kavaklioglu, would hold pre-scheduled meetings with Nigerian business operators at Eko Hotel and suites, Lagos, on Thursday.

    According to her, Turkey’s fast-growing electronics, white goods and electrical components sector annually exports over 10 billion dollars in goods to the global market.

    Buhari went on a four-day working visit to Turkey on Oct. 18.

    The president participated in the ninth D-8 Summit in Istanbul on Oct. 20 and held bilateral meetings with some member-countries.

    NAN

  • Tuface, Tekno to headline Eko Hotel’s ‘Eargasm’ concert

    Tuface, Tekno to headline Eko Hotel’s ‘Eargasm’ concert

    Multi-award winning Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, aka 2Baba and new kid on the block, Tekno would lead an array of musical talents on a concert titled Eargasm.
    A collaboration of Eko Hotels and Suites and Bulkwyld Media, the concert is put together for couples and music lovers for the Valentine’s celebration.
    Scheduled for February 11, the weekend preceding St. Valentine’s Day, other artistes featuring in the concert include Adekunle Gold, Sir Shina Peters, Kelly Handsome, Niyola, Timi Dakolo, Acetune, Yinka Davies, and DJ Neptune.
    Speaking on the show which will be hosted by comedian Bovi, Mr. Efe Omorogbe of Bulkwyld Media described Eargasm concert as an evening of classic tunes and pleasant surprises.
    Omorogbe who is 2Baba’s manager said it is a stellar cast of some of the best vocalists and live performers you find around the continent.
    “They are individuals who can deliver the best of quality music… we are bringing our A-game on February 11.  We want to complement Eko Hotels. We are going to match the Eko Hotels’ international standard with Bulkwyld Media international standard and delivering a one-of-its-kind experience,” he said.
    On her part, Eko Hotel’s Marketing Manager, Mrs. Iyadunni Gbadebo, said  what the hotel hoped to achieve was to offer couples and music lovers an unforgettable evening of music, rich international cuisines and purpose-crafted accommodation to go with the occasion.
    According to Gbadebo, “Eargasm is basically a Valentine event which we would be having with Tuface, Adekunle Gold, Harrysong,   Tekno, Timi Dakolo. All these big wigs in music are coming and it will be fun. I know that these are some of the most decorated artistes that we have put together for you people and their vocal abilities are unbelievable.    I am sure that a lot of people who will come here will have a good time. You will get the best of everything.
    “We have different outlets and each of the outlets will be hosting different countries’ Valentine dinner. As you know, we have about six outlets and each of them would be handling different kinds of activities for Valentine couples. 1415 Restaurant of the Eko Signatures would be hosting Italian in-dining; Sky Restaurant will be adding Asian fusion with a nice French theme into it; we have the Grill which is our restaurant at the Steak House at Eko Suites; we have the Lagoon Breeze, which is a place to house a beautiful fine dining Valentine’s experience. We also have Red Restaurant which is for Chinese cuisines.
    “We have the Spa and they have put together something beautiful for Valentine’s. We are going to have room packages available with massages and a gift for the ladies as well. It will fun. We advise couples to book ahead.”

  • Carpenter ‘steals’ TV sets at Eko Hotel

    Carpenter ‘steals’ TV sets at Eko Hotel

    THE police have arrested a carpenter, Adebowale Johnson, for allegedly breaking into an Eko Hotel store in Victoria Island, Lagos and stealing television sets valued at N3, 469,000.

    Johnson, 45, who lives behind ‘Prayer City’, Mowe-Ibafo, Ogun State, was arraigned yesterday before Mrs S. K. Matepo of an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    He is standing trial on a two-count charge of theft preferred against him by the police.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji told the court that the defendant committed the offence last August 6, at about 11am at Eko Hotel and Suites, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island.

    He said Johnson was contracted as a carpenter by a store on the hotel’s premises, Eko Atlantic Exhibition, but broke into the store and stole 28 television sets.

    Osuji said: “The defendant stole three 52-inch LG Plasma TV sets valued at N200, 000 each, 19 sets of 42-inch LG Plasma TV valued at N130, 000 each and six sets of 32-inch LG Plasma TV valued at N71, 000 each.

    “The total value of the goods are N3, 496,000.00, all properties of Eko Atlantic Exhibition.”

    The offences, he added, were punishable under Sections 307 (1), 285 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    The defendant denied the charge and Magistrate Matepo granted him N500, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case was adjourned till September 11.

  • Festival of talents, photos

    Festival of talents, photos

    Lovers of the arts trooped in numbers at the Escalator entrance, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos to view photography that explored historical and contemporary issues. The month-long celebration of African creativity and photography, LagosPhoto, featured artists and outdoor installations from around the continent. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Lagos photography festival.

    With the theme, Staging Reality, Documenting Fiction, the festival was aimed to develop contemporary photography in Africa through mentorships and cross-cultural collaborations. It featured 40 photographers from 21 countries.

    It also featured contemporary photographers working in Africa, who negotiates the boundaries and relationships between photography, beliefs, and truths. Incorporating conceptual strategies that expand traditional photographic practice, many contemporary artists working on the continent move beyond the confines of the photojournalistic gaze.

    This year’s festival was a combination of perspectives and voices to celebrate and stimulate art debates on social issues. “As a photographer, every weekend, I am privileged to take photographs of weddings and they are most of the pictures that I am exhibiting. I am also trying to correct the perspective that Nigerians are poor. In one of the pictures, one could see a man who rented a Limousine and military personnel to protect him when he is not rich just to show off on his wedding day,” according to Jide Odukoya, whose collection was entitled Turn it up.

    On his part, Ilan Godfrey (South Africa), one of the winners of POPCAP 2014, an international competition for contemporary African photographers, was overwhelmed by the level of creativity that was on display from various artists across Africa. “Every work here stands out in its own individual way. That’s what the festival is all about,” he said.

    Also at the festival were three projects that explore vernacular photography in Africa, an exhibition of Nollywood/Bollywood images, the Out of Africa project which juxtaposes historical photographs from different eras, and the Studio Cameroon film screening and exhibition that examines the history of the popular photography studio, Photo Jeunesse. They were put together by LagosPhoto with the Archive of Modern Conflict, an independent publisher based in London.

    Molue Mobile Museum of Contemporary Art (MMMoCA), in partnership with Goethe-Institute, presented The Molue Mobile Museum of Contemporary Art developed by Emeka Udemba, which aimed at making contemporary art more accessible to the mainstream public through a moveable and transitory exhibition platform.

    The participating photographers were, Ade Adekola (Nigeria), Laurence Aëgerter (France), Leonce Raphael Agbodjelou (Benin), Genevieve Aken (Nigeria), Seun Akisanmi (Nigeria), Aisha Augie-Kuta (Nigeria), Ricardo Cases (Spain), Edson Chagas (Angola), Kudzanai Chiurai (Zimbabwe), Pierre-Christophe Gam (France/Cameroon), Angélica Dass (Brazil), Cristina de Middel (Spain), Delphine Fawundu (Sierra Leone/USA), Glenna Gordon (USA), Hassan Hajjaj (Morocco), Jacqueline Hassink (The Netherlands), Nicolas Henry (France), Jan Hoek (The Netherlands), Sam Hopkins (UK/Kenya), Namsa Leuba (Switzerland/Guinea) and Lowe Cape Town (South Africa).

  • Appiah,Ukeje,Omotoso shine at Africa Magic awards

    Appiah,Ukeje,Omotoso shine at Africa Magic awards

    The first edition of the much publicised Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) held on Saturday night with popular Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah  and Nigeria’s emerging talent, OC Ukeje winning the Best Actress and Best Actor categories respectively. But the ovation was overwhelming for Nigerian filmmaker, Akin Omotoso, who did not only clinch the Best Director trophy, but also won in three other categories through his film, Man on Ground.

     Eko Hotel and Suites, venue of the event, pooled a large number of artistes from all sectors of the entertainment industry, as there was hardly any known entertainer who did not attend the show. Nigeria corpotate giants  , led by headline sponsors of the show, Nigerian Breweries Plc, through its Amstel Malta brand were also in attendance.

     Perhaps, portraying government’s solidarity for the motion picture industry was the presence of three serving Ministers: Edem Duke, Minister of Culture and Tourism; Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade & Investment, and Diezani Allison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event.

     The award ceremony was broadcast live from Lagos to DStv and GOtv audiences in more than 50 countries across the continent of Africa.

     The AMVCAs, held in association with MultiChoice and Amstel Malta, recognised Africa’s best film and television talent in a glittering four hour ceremony, hosted by Big Brother’s IK Osakioduwa and StarGist’s Vimbai Muntinhiri.

     The pre-event red carpet captured all the glamour of the gala event with a team of on-air personalities, including Big Brother alumni Uti Nwachukwu and Nic Wang’ondu alongside Eku Edewor, Dolopo Oni, Sarah Hassan and Helen Paul.

     Big individual winners on the night included Nigeria’s Mercy Johnson (Best Actress – Comedy) for Dumebi – The Dirty Girl, Ghanaian Jackie Appiah (Best Actress – Drama) for Perfect Picture, Nigeria’s Hafiz Oyetoro (Best Actor – Comedy) for House a Part and his compatriot OC Ukeje (Best Actor – Drama) for Two Brides and a Baby.

     Category wins for Best Supporting Cast in a Drama went to Uganda’s Matthew Nabwiso for A Good Catholic Girl and Kenya’s Maureen Koech for Lies That Bind. The prestigious award for Best Director went to Akin Omotoso for Man on Ground. The Best Movie Overall and Best Television categories were the climax of the event, with Otelo Burning and The XYZ Show scooping the honours respectively.

     Rounding off an unforgettable night, veteran Nigerian actor, Olu Jacobs was named the recipient of the Industry Merit Award while AMBO girl, Ivie Okujaye, was declared the TrailBlazer of the Year.

    Organisers say that the judging panel was drawn from experienced personalities around the continent. The team was led by Nigeria’s Femi Odugbem. The jury were said to be responsible for selecting the winners in non-viewer voting categories. The panel included Antonio Katakwe, Charles Asiba, Desiree Markgraaff, Joyce Fissoo, Kole Omotoso, Linus Abrahams, Simon Ratcliffe, Steph Ogundele and Zik Zulu Okafor.

    One of the attractions on the night was a performance by Nigerian Afrobeat superstar, Femi Kuti. Other musical performances were rendered by Sauti Sol, Tiwa Savage, Banky W and Chidinma, along with Ghana’s Efya.