The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has commissioned a structure recently built and the second refurbished at its Lagos zonal office. The commissioned properties include the one-storey building that houses the institute’s hall, kitchen for training, ICT room and other offices, and another building in the zonal office demolished and built from the scratch.

According to the Lagos Zonal Coordinator of the institute Chinyere Ibeabuchi, prior to the appointment of the current Director General of the institute Aare Abisoye Fagade, the one-storey building was in a deplorable condition, thereby making learning under such environment difficult.

The NIHOTOUR Director General, Aare Fagade, while speaking on the condition he met the refurbished building said: “The first time I entered here was two weeks after my resumption. I asked, what is this. From my background, I started my career with Indomie noodles, from Indomie I joined another global agency, Satchi and Satchi. After that in 2009, I started my own advert agency. And you know in advert agencies it is all about fancy and all of that, so my office in Lagos was always very fanciful. So, when I resumed, I was expected our Lagos office to be in Victoria Island, it turned out to be here. When I came here I asked, are human beings working here. I said we will do something about this place, and less than ten months we have achieved that.

“I want to appreciate the contractor who has done this work. This is not under our budget, but it is like we squeezed water out of stone. It is only impossible if we think it is impossible, but the Bible says that with God, all things are possible. It is only God that has made it possible.”

He said even though he intends to build a world-class training institute with state-of-the-art facilities, the idea is to provide and create a conducive environment for the students to learn.

Commissioning the facilities, the traditional ruler Odi Olowo, the community in Lagos where the school and zonal office is located, Oba Sikirulayi Williams, commended the NIHOTOUR boss for his vibrancy and his desire to make the difference. The Oba also praised the NIHOTOUR boss for his achievement within just ten months saying: “He is a young man that knows what to do at the right time. I know this a is just a start. By the time we come here again, a lot of things would have been in place.”

The traditional ruler encouraged the staff of the institute to put in their best to achieve the desired goal.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Aro Oba Elegushi Chief Ganiyu Olalekan Bakare who represented Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi, the traditional ruler of Ikateland, said: “The NIHOTOUR DG is a remarkable man. He is somebody that loves perfection, so I am not surprised. He said there was no money, I know. But I am also not surprised that out of nothing, he is making something happen barely a year in office. I am happy NIHOTOUR is taking a different direction. It is a positive one, and one that will leave a lasting impact.”