Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos this week made history by becoming the first hospitality outfit in the country to consciously and officially migrate its activities in such a way that would reduce the carbon foot print of the hotel and reduce the greenhouse effect of carbon emission to the environment.
The hotel officially launched its environmental friendly mode of operation through the Eco Friendly Arts competition that was held for children from primary and secondary schools within the hotel’s council area.
Prior to the arts competition, the hotel had, in a release, said the board and management made a corporate decision to officially embark on an eco-friendly way of life due its concern about its immediate environment and the global community.
It said: “Eko Hotels is determined to make considerable investment in ensuring a more eco-friendly culture is embedded into the daily operation of its business. To this extent, they accept they have a responsibility not just to their shareholders, but also to their host community, future generations and the larger society, so they are committed to ensuring that their environment is preserved and properly catered to, promoting a healthier, safer and more sustainable business space.”
Speaking on the new initiative and new way of doing business, the hotel’s chairman, Mr. Christopher Chagoury, said: “We are far more than just a global and local leader, we are the equivalent of a community that hosts over 500,000 clients each year, providing them with water, energy, food and a hospitable environment. With ‘eco’ right in our DNA, the board of directors decided it was time to expose our guests to a more caring and greener lifestyle.
“We want to share the opportunity to experience what a greener, more wonderful world could be. You are invited to ride with us on the green side as we join hands to contribute our quota in preserving planet earth.”
To achieve this, the hotel said it is leading the change towards an eco-friendly hotel and are championing the eco –friendly drive with keen interest. They have reduced energy consumption significantly, several water conservation practices have been adopted gradually, utensils and amenities are being replaced with biodegradable options and hundreds of children are being sensitized on the need to reduce our carbon footprint.
“Living green is to pro-actively participate in keeping our environment clean and sustainable for future generations. It is a serious issue; one that will inform the way we see things in every facet of life. Keying into this system of improving our environment is a lifetime and a lifestyle vow to be borne by all regardless of age, creed or social status.
“We at Eko Hotels and Suites firmly believe there is a growing need to drive interest in environmental conversation and bring to the fore its impact on tourism and destination travel, and the benefits that other global brands have thus far enjoyed,” it said.
The arts competition’s grand finale which was held on the premises of the hotel, 10 shortlisted students who scaled through the preliminary stage, compete for the coveted prize of a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of N500,000.
In his welcome address during for the competition, the Managing Director of the hotel, Mr. Ghassan Faddoul, harped on the need for people to engage in a more responsible, environmental way of doing business.
He said: “Travellers are increasingly using accommodation that supports eco-friendliness and sustainability. It is not only for the season, but also for posterity sake that Eko Hotels and Suites seeks a greener Nigeria, through a greener hospitality business. We see a great opportunity in this green thinking and seek to aggressively build capacity in all areas that would surely lead to the personal welfare of guests, their families, friends and the broader society.
“We, however, cannot achieve this project alone, as it is a long term and team oriented campaign. We must use this gathering to solicit support from the media, business partners and the state government in actualizing this.
“The foundation for today’s event began early in 2018 when our management and staff sought better ways to conduct ourselves businesswise and with less adverse impact to our immediate environment.
“After excessive researches, consultations and collaborations, we arrived at a blueprint which will not only see our business safe on cost but will significantly reduce our greenhouse foot print. Stimulated by these findings, the Eko Hotels eco-friendly project was initiated with two objectives: information and sensitization. In the form of information, I like to inform, that as at January 1, 2019, Eko Hotels and Suites, as far as we know, became the first hospitality outfit, to effect behavioural change, by organizing eco-friendly trainings for staff, offering practical tips and advices on green practices both at home and at work. “
The key event during the programme was the planting of trees within the premises of the hotel by the dignitary at the event.
After a few hours allowed by the judges for the finalists of the competition draw, their image of an eco-friendly future Eko Hotels and Suites, the judges were called upon to adjudicate and score the finalists. Among the judges were: Eko Hotels and Suites Managing Director,Mr. Ghassan Faddoul; the renowned artist, Prof. Olu Amoda; former Commissioner for Environment, Lagos, Prince Adesegun Oniru; Chairman, Eko Hotels and Suites, Mr. Christopher Chagoury; and proprietress, Arts 21, Mrs. Caline Chagoury Moudabe.
Among the students that made it to the final of the competition included: Mae N., Akindele Abdulkazim, Njoku Amarachi, Blessing Nwaede, Agubata Kosanna, Olugbengba Ayeoluwa, Adegoke Ademola and Fadekemi Onikosi.
At the end of the competition, Adegoke Ademola came first, closely followed by Akindele Abdulkarim, while Olugbenga Ayooluwa came third.
