United Kingdom-trained lecturer, Dr. Segun Akindayini, is not a stranger to the entertainment industry. For 10 years, he was a lecturer at Thames Polytecnic (now University of Greenwich), London. He was also one of the people who pioneered the marketing of Nigerian (Nollywood) films in the UK with the setting up of the African Video Centre in the early 90s. So, when he returned to Nigeria to set up a hospitality business, Chicago Bar Grill and Motel in Ogun State, not many were surprised. The surprise, however, was that after making a success of the hotel business, he decided a few months ago turn it into a retreat centre. He told GBENGA ADERANTI that it was a difficult business decision he had to take.
WHAT is your assessment of the hospitality sector in Nigeria?
The hospitality industry is an established industry which plays a major role in the society and the development of a nation. The hospitality industry is thriving despite the economic situation in Nigeria. More hotels are being built in city centres to cater for the demand of business and social travellers across the nation.
As a traveller or a businessman on a trip you need a place to lodge and relax. Hospitality business takes care of the person in that situation. It is an essential part of a society.
It is thriving well because people are travelling more from city to city looking for better business opportunities. Although there are newcomers into the business of hospitality, the challenges are so many. It is very important that the person is cut out for such a business.
You said one has to be cut out for hospitality business. How?
The word cut out, in this context, means that the individual has to be prepared for the business in all its ramifications. He must know what it takes to operate it, have the manpower and the funds. You have to be such an astute person because your environment reflects your personality, especially when it comes to the business of hospitality. It is more or less that you are setting up a comfortable place that will be similar to your customer’s home. It must have all the essential facilities. That is why they use the slogan “Home away from Home”.
He must be prepared for the unexpected challenges and not be afraid. He should be able to face them head on and find a way to overcome the challenges.
I understand that your Chicago Bar Grill and Motel is being turned into a retreat centre? How true?
Chicago, Bar, Grill and Motel was established when I returned from London in the year 2014. We started as a relaxation centre with a difference. I had a focus to provide our customers a serene atmosphere and good customer service. Our bar was stocked with variety of beers, wines and spirits. The grill took care of delicious fish, ‘asun’, roast chicken and so on. The motel has affordable air conditioned rooms and TV.
Obviously, that went well and was successful. We graduated from motel level to a three-star hotel, and we became known as Chicago Hotel. We upgraded our services, better furnished rooms in a better environment.
However, along the line, I found myself being disturbed and uncomfortable with some aspects of the business. My spiritual life was becoming more apparent and I was becoming more aware of the implications of what was taking place in my environment. I was becoming more concerned about the result of my actions. I had the opportunities to think more on what life is all about.
The business was providing different types of entertainment, social life, fun and so many things. In the beginning I found nothing wrong with it. Business was good, I was enjoying it, everything was rosy. However, as my walk with God was progressing, something inside of me was saying I was not doing the right thing.
This feeling was becoming stronger and stronger. I began to question the purpose of my life. This led us to withdraw from some aspects of the business that were not glorifying God. I decided to Evangelise through an in-house fellowship for the benefits of the lodgers and local community. Then we changed the name to Chicago Retreat Centre in the year 2021.
The fellowship is non-denominational. We have morning devotion, Victory Hour on Fridays and Party with Jesus on the Last Sunday of every month.
Whilst these programmes were ongoing, we still accommodated the sale of alcohol on the premises. It became a mixed kind of message to the public. Some people were asking if Chicago had become a church or it was still a hotel. So, I took it to God in prayer and there was a leading that was I going to be fully obedient or partially obedient to my calling? Then it dawned on me that God is here to rule and reign in Chicago Retreat Centre, and then we had the mandate to turn it into the sanctuary of God that will promote wellness and personal spiritual growth offering a range of spiritual services and programmes that have come out of our fellowship period.
That has led us to the development of a spiritual environment, nature inspired, serene atmosphere and the eradication of sale of alcohol on the premises. We now have a policy of No Smoking, No Alcohol, Quiet Zone.
An environment suitable for individuals, businesses, churches and organisations to have a private retreat or to connect with their inner self.
We have a bar that stocks drinks that improve health and promote wellness. Our music policy is all instrumental and classical music or gospel music that lifts the spirit. It has been an interesting journey.
Don’t you think you are making a wrong business decision?
No. The bible says “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” Matthew 6:33.
It is a decision between being comfortable in worldly affairs/achievements or saving your soul. Yes, some people might say it is a wrong business decision, and it might affect me financially, but it is a sacrifice that must be made.
In any spiritual life, there must be a sacrifice. Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for our salvation. The little sacrifice that I’m not going to make money from selling alcohol is minute. What we have now achieved on the ground is that there is a place for a number of people who do not drink, who do not smoke or like a noisy environment. I know God has ordained and required that we build Chicago Retreat Centre as a sanctuary of God that will save people in this community and beyond. Yes, it was a hard decision, but no great achievement comes easy.
How receptive were your customers to this decision?
It has been a mixed feeling from the customers. Some customers, like you rightly said, were surprised. But it has been a gradual process. We gave them notice in advance of the impending change of our business model. We informed them of the new vision. Yes, we have lost so many of them but we are gaining new faces. It has been a welcoming feeling from the new customers and they encourage us to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
It is becoming a fad now for religious centres to buy factories and entertainment outfits. Go to Ikeja, Lagos, some places that used to be warehouses have been bought by churches. What could have informed this trend? Could that have been one of those things you considered before you turned the Chicago Hotels into a retreat centre?
No. My direction came from the Holy Spirit.
To answer the first part of your question, you said these buildings are being transformed into worship centres. The reason is that in these last days, people are going through situations and running somewhere to receive solace and the word of God. These premises that are vacant, when churches outgrown their space, and if they can afford to acquire a bigger facility, then nothing can stop them. And if these facilities are available by all means they can take it.
The mega churches buy 100-150 acres out of town. I want to believe that when Daddy Adeboye bought the present Redeemed Camp many years ago, he acquired acres and acres, Why? The Holy spirit must have revealed to him that these were the facilities that would be needed in the end days.
There are many lost souls. They want comfort, they want the word of God. And when you are in an environment where your soul is being revitalised and you hear the word of God, it encourages you that in this falling world, there is a gathering of the saints and their needs are being be met. That is the reason these buildings are being acquired to service the needs of believers.
Chicago Retreat Centre is located in Akute, Ogun State. There are many big churches here in Akute that when they want to have their retreats or need quiet moments, they have to travel far out of Akute. You know the traffic situation and the logistics involved. Also, if they are having programmes in their local churches, the visiting ministers have to be lodged somewhere, which is why a facility like ours is available locally.
With the way, churches are acquiring worship centres. Are you not afraid that you will wake up one day and there will be no hotels again?
There will always be a need for hotels, because people will still travel out of their locations for one reason or the other. But I envisage more retreat centres will be made available. I’m looking forward to that. That will be great. Can you imagine what the society will be like by that time? Can you imagine the peace? Can you imagine the loving environment? More places where the word of God is being preached and places that promotes wellness and spirituality. I Iook forward to that.
I’m afraid there will be unemployment considering the number of people engaged by the hospitality sector…
People are still required to work in the retreat centres or churches. So that sector will still provide employment. But in heaven, there is no employment! The Creator Himself will provide our needs. In heaven, they don’t work. We just sing praises to the Almighty God and we live forever and ever without any hardship, without sickness or sorrow. Can you imagine that? Glory to God. Hallelujah! Amen. Shalom!
