Oyo governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has assured local and foreign investors of the provision of an enabling environment and adequate security in the state
Makinde gave the assurance at the unveiling of a multi million naira JAGZ Hotel, Iyaganku’ GRA in Ibadan South West Local government area.
He stated that the hotel which was completed within a space of 21 months is in line with the vision of his administration Omituntun 2.0.
The governor added his administration has set a template for the Socio-economic growth for the state with huge investment in all the sectors of the economy.
According to him, “Our administration is opened to discussion with the Organized Private Sector to further fasttrack the economic growth of the state
“We are going to provide an enabling environment and adequate security for the would be local and foreign investors like we did for the management of the JAGZ International Hotel, Ibadan.
“JAGZ Hotel will open a vista of opportunity for the teeming youths in the state as well market the state to the outside world.
“We will ensure that the place is well secured”
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Hotel, Ayodele Adegbulugbe disclosed that the commitment of Governor Makinde at making the state number one investment destination in the Country necessitated the choice of the ancient city as the location for the hotel.
According to him, “Your administration’s relentless infrastructure drive during omituntun 1.0 and your efforts in making Oyo state serial number 1 in the ease of doing business in Nigeria has made our State the obvious choice of investments for the smart business elite.
“The last time the Southwest region witnessed such a frenzied infrastructure drive was during the era of baba Awolowo of blessed memories. I am not a politician, I am, but a child of history.
Should we attempt to break ALL political protocols, at the risk of going viral by declaring our beloved ‘Gomina’ the Arole Baba Awolowo ni?
This project was constructed in 21 months, on a turnkey basis, by a foremost indigenous Company, El Sabio construction, headed by an amiable young local boy with no foreign degree, Engineer Tunji Akinboro and supported by his able sidekick, Bode Falope.
“We believe this schedule for this kind of complex project must be a world record that cannot be achieved by foreign companies. It confirms that given the right conditions, our indigenous companies can compete and best their international counterparts. I am proud of what these two omuluabis have accomplished without cranes and other fancy construction equipment.
“It may interest you further, Sir, that there are no formal contracts between Akinboro and my Company. We work based on spreadsheets and integrity. These young Nigerians reaffirm my believe that the Omoluabi ethos that our forefathers bestowed on us, must continue to play a significant role in shaping modern African capitalist engagements.
Your excellency, today is not just the commissioning ceremony of one hotel, we have the honor of making history by launching the first indigenous luxury hotel brand in Africa. The decision for Ibadan as the location of choice to launch our vision is devoid of emotion. In this global age, discerning investors will always invest where there is opportunity to maximize profit and at locations that offer the least resistance to the flow of capital.
“I would like to place it on record, for posterity’s sake, that we got our approval to construct this edifice within 4 weeks of application (a record in any part of the world) and we did not pay an extra kobo above what is stipulated by law. For this and much more, we are appreciative, Sir.
Africa is the undisputable home of Hospitality, and we are focused on reestablishing this fact in the global hospitality industry.
” I have invited some of the corporate juggernauts in Lagos to this event to convince them that Ibadan must compete favorably with Lagos and other global locations for their corporate meetings, conferences and retreats. They must stop carrying our country’s dollars to Kigali, Capetown, Dubai and Qatar. Omo eni kii sedi bebere kafi ileke sidi omo elomi. Bring those dollars home to Ibadan, we take all legal tenders!
For those that still insist on asking why we decided to build our first luxury hospitality brand in Ibadan, we refer them to their parents for proper grounding in history and we respond with indignation, that since when has Oyo State has to explain why it deserves to be the first to enjoy the best, since when has our State stop leading the other Nigerian States and countries in the world? Must we remind them about the first African TV station, the Cocoa house, the premier hotel, liberty stadium, the University of Ibadan, the Ibadan Teaching Hospital, or of the rich history of the great Oyo empire; the empire that brought civilization to their forefathers? A kan ni ki a fi ye won ni wipe, Oyo ko se bi baba enikan, aji se bi oyo laari. They must just get used to it and stop asking rhetorical questions!
“My Company has proactively keyed into your Omituntun 2.0 vision which is centered around your decision to exploit the massive tourism and solid minerals potentials of our State for the benefits of the good people of Oyo State. Oyo State shall compete favorably with any tourist state in the world and Ibadan shall be the preferred weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of Lagos life.
“We believe the tourists all over the world can enjoy the luxury and comfort that the JAGZ hotel offers and make Ibadan their preferred location to stay while they visit the region’s historical and touristic sites that are within travel distance such as the suspended lakes in Ado Awaye, the historical cities of ile Ife, Osogbo, Ogbomosho, Oyo town, even as far as the Idanre hills and the Ikogosi warm spring”
