A new multi-million naira four star hotel was last week commissioned in Owerri, by the joint effort of two eminent Imolites, Prof. Jude Njoku, former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), and the Senator-Elect for Imo East and two times legislator for Ikeduru State Constituency, Hon. Samuel Anyawu (Sam Daddy) before a mammoth crowd of guests and well wishers.
In his brief remarks before cutting the tape to commission the new hotel which has come to add to the ever growing hospitality industry in the state, Prof. Njoku who was a PDP Guber aspirant in the last general election, commended the efforts of the Proprietor and Chairman of the hotel complex Okenze Uche Okereafor for building such an ultra modern complex for the people as a place of relaxation, recreation and conference centre, in Owerri, which on its own has become an attraction or tourist centre in the nation.
He remarked that this is the first time an indigene of Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area (LGA), has ventured into such a gigantic project which is not only profit making but a source of job creation to the teeming youths in our state and called on other well to do citizens of both Ngor Okpala and Imo State to come to the rescue of unemployed graduates by establishing industries that can create jobs to ameliorate the alarming unemployment situation in the state.
He described the hotel as a decent one, safe and secure for relaxation and business. In his own remarks, the Senator-elect who was the Chief guest of Honour, described the hotel as being unique, located in a serene environment for holidaying and pledged to ensure that the hospitality industry is patronized effectively.
He patted the proprietor Okenze Uche Okereafor on the back for coming out with something special and unique from the other ones in the state and urged him to ensure that both the management and services offered by the new industry are kept high in order to retain customers who would choose the place for their transactions or other ventures.
Earlier in his welcome address on the occasion, the Chairman/CEO of Oriental Pillars Hotels and Suites Limited, Okenze Uche Okereafor (Okenze Gburu Gburu) said the opening of the complex was the climax of his passion for the hospitality industry since the eighties when he worked as a staff of Rita Lori Hotels, Lagos.
He disclosed that he had decided to establish the industry in Imo state as his contribution towards economic development and reducing unemployment in the state adding that “the importance of job creation cannot be overemphasized in the light of the rate of crimes and vices in the country” owing to joblessness and youth restiveness.
He expressed gratitude to God and so many of his associates including his bankers as well as Ucheson Group of Companies who helped him to see the dream come true.
Guests at the occasion were later conducted round on a facility assessment tour of the new hotel which has a large swimming pool, several single and double room suites, conference and underground halls and recreation centres.
Among prominent personalities who graced the occasion were, Okenze Sylvester Obinna (Sykobin), Okenze Ngor Okpala, some traditional rulers including Eze George Nwosu, Eze Bartholomew Mba, Eze Fredrick Nwachukwu, Chairman Ngor Okpala Council of Traditional rulers, Chief Henry Njoku-HARRITEX, Dr. T.O.E Ekechi; former Commissioner for Information in Imo State and so many other dignitaries drawn all over the country while the occasion was moderated by an Owerri based musician; Ugo Stevenson.
Courtesy: Community Watchdog Newspaper
