Tag: Mandilas

By Olamide Akintunde

Mandilas Group has restated its commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy as one of the oldest companies sparkled the Yuletide season with a world-class concert.

Executive Vice Chairman, Mandilas Trust Co. Ltd, Mrs Ola Ayo-Adeloye, said Mandilas has been a positive force in Nigeria’s history over the past seven and half decades and it would continue to reflect the resilience, diversity and ambition that define the Nigerian dream.

Ayo-Adeloye, who is also Vice Chairman, Mandilas Group Ltd, spoke at 2025 Muson-Mandilas Christmas Concert jointly organised by Mandilas Group and the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) at MUSON Centre in Lagos.

The Yuletide season came alive as the MUSON Choir and Orchestra joined the Mandilas Choir at an evening that carried special significance for Mandilas Group, which marked its 75th anniversary with thanksgiving and a high-profile audience soothed by the joy of praises.

Ayo-Adeloye said this year’s concert was a symbolic celebration of Mandilas Group’s 75 years of operation in Nigeria, a milestone that’s both rare and deeply meaningful.

“Seventy-five years is not an easy feat. Many companies have not survived this environment for that long. It speaks directly to the resilience and commitment of Mandilas to Nigeria.”

 We are a Nigerian company, and we aim to do excellent work. Over the years our commitment to Nigeria speaks for itself. The Nigerian customer market has been very good to us,” Ayo-Adeloye said.

She added that customer loyalty remains at the core of the brand’s identity.

Reflecting on the company’s evolution, she described Mandilas as maturing like “fine wine”, noting that expectations from the public have grown alongside it. Without our customers, we would not be here. That’s why, now at 75, we’re reiterating our commitment to all our customers and Nigeria and we will continue for the next 75 years and beyond.

“Over the years, we have demonstrated reliability over and over again. Even during COVID, we didn’t lay off anyone, and we never missed paying salaries. People expect job security, and they want to know their employer has their back”.

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She emphasised that beyond its corporate identity, Mandilas remains a family and community-oriented organisation, which aim not only to do profitable business but prioritise doing such in a sustainable and positively impactful way.

“Yes, we do business, but we do business with a good heart,” Ayo-Adeloye said.

The evening was more than a seasonal showcase. It represented the union of corporate legacy and cultural tradition-a moment where music, community spirit, and decades of Nigerian enterprise came together.

The concert attracted several dignitaries including Mr Vlassis Liakouris, Group Managing Director of Mandilas Group and his wife, Rebecca; Chief Gregory Ezeokafor, a director of Mandilas Group; Pastor Ayo Adeloye and Sir Emeka Nwokedi, Director of Music and Conductor at MUSON among others.

As a tradition, the concert featured an elegant blend of classical compositions, evergreen Christmas carols, and dynamic choral arrangements. Several renditions incorporated local dialects, creating a rich fusion of global classical influences with Nigerian and broader African musical heritage.

The collaboration between MUSON and Mandilas once again underscored their shared commitment to promoting artistic excellence in Lagos.

Mandilas Group, founded in 1950, has evolved from a small business to a leading player in its industry.

Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Mandilas Market for two days.

It is to allow for the removal of illegal make-shift structures erected on road setbacks within and around the market environment.

The closure notice was issued on Saturday during a joint inspection and enforcement exercise by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

The enforcement exercise followed the expiration of the 14-day self-removal notice earlier given by the state government to the traders.
They were asked to remove their wares and shops from the roads, especially around Mandalas on Lagos Island.

Read Also: Mandilas fire: Lagos demolishes illegal structures, building for integrity test

The Special Adviser eGIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, his colleague in charge of Central Business District, Bola Olumegbon-Lawal, the Permanent Secretary Office of Urban Development, Nurudeen Sodehinde and the General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, led the enforcement team.

Babajide expressed dissatisfaction with the level of non-compliance.

Olumegbon-Lawal lamented the rate of safety infractions being perpetrated within the Mandilas market.

He said the government was committed to achieving a saner, well-organised and clean city devoid of all forms of environmental nuisance.

The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has commiserated with traders in Lagos over the fire that consumed goods worth millions of naira at Mandilas building on Sunday.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, conveyed his message on Tuesday in Lagos during an on -the- spot assessment of the extent of the damage wrecked by the fire.

Represented by the Director, Search and Rescue, NEMA, Air Commodore Kennedy Metaluwo, Ahmed
enjoined Nigerians to be safety conscious in their activities to protect their lives and property.

He also called on business owners to explore the need for insurance policy to recoup their losses in case of disaster.

The director-general observed that there was lack of proper fire fighting equipment that was supposed to be installed in the Mandilas building to respond to immediate fire challenge.

He also observed that safety management of the building was quite a challenge also.

According to him, a critical observation of the building shows that there are too many attachments to the building.

“The adjoining buildings were too close and chocked up.

“Most of the attachments needs to be out so that there can be free movement of emergency responders,” Ahmed said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that upon arrival at the scene of the fire, the D-G was briefed by security officials on the scene led by the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO), Ebute Ero Division CSP Agunloye Rotimi.

The D-G also commiserated with the affected victims on behalf of the Federal Government

The Iya Loja General of Mandilas and Atunwase International Market, Alhaja Adeniji Rashidat, told the D-G that the building accommodated about 6,700 traders, 450 shops, 30 offices, two hotels, and five restaurants.

Rashidat said that the fire was believed to have started at about 11:00 hours on Sunday from the first floor where an alleged electric welding activity was going on.

She said that the people around the market did not notice the fire until it was too late before the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service was contacted.

According to her, 10 floors were affected by the fire which was promptly brought under control by the fire service.

Read Also: Mandilas fire: Lagos demolishes illegal structures, building for integrity test

She said that the fire also spread to surrounding market stalls at Atunwase International Market with equal extensive damages as the main complex.

Rashidat appealed to the Federal government to come to the aid of the traders who lost property worth millions of naira.

NAN reports that officials of the Lagos State Safety Commission and Building Control Agency were on ground to assess the integrity of all buildings at the scene.

All structures affected have been locked down to prevent access to the shop for the safety of traders and the public.

Traders whose goods were destroyed were seen in clusters watching helplessly as the fire continued 48 hours after.

(NAN)