My dilemma: We are at the wheatbaker and it’s 6 a.m. and breakfast is N15k each. My colleague and driver want cash, and I am insisting they eat the N15,000 breakfast. This pple want to rebel o
IVY Hotel has berthed in the exclusive Ikeja GRA area. The super deluxe hotel comes with the ambience of a well designed and curated masterpiece.
I was there over the weekend and was super carried away by the posh environs, the sweet service and the very exquisite food.
This comes highly recommended. You should try it.
I give it 4 stars
I left Lagos for Ibadan this morning by train. It was my first time traveling by the much talked about train.
Approaching the train station in Yaba made me proud to be a Nigerian. The station stood out like a sore thumb, the car park was decent enough as I had been informed and it was secure enough for me to leave my car there and travel as long as I would be returning the same day.
Still can’t understand why we can’t buy tickets online almost 2 years after this service was commissioned.
Anyway getting into the station I approached the ticketing counter and requested for a 1st class ticket @ N6K, I was informed that this was no longer available. I requested for a Biz class ticket @ 4,500, I was informed this was also exhausted. So I purchased an economy ticket. I was determined that NOTHING would spoil this experience for me.
Started my journey to the sitting area to wait for the train and I took in the grandeur of our world class train station feeling really proud.
Then the retailer in me kicked in. Train stations especially those that serve as terminus usually offer train passengers a very vibrant shopping experience. Supermarkets, coffee shops/snack bars, fashion and lifestyle and so on. Think Kings Cross St. PANCRAS, Zurich Main Station, Paris Gare du Nord and so on. Please note that the stations charge an arm and a leg for such retail spaces
Why was the shopping here missing. So far I had only seen one store… a Pharmacy in one of the stores on the outside of the station.
The architecture was totally wrong.
I am not an architect, but from what I know of retail and train stations, the architecture is such that from when the passenger enters the station to where he eventually boards the train he would have been made to pass by several shops.
This is what retailers pay for. The more eyeballs that see your products, the higher your chances of selling. Train stations are high-traffic areas and usually, the traffic is a mixture of all classes and the Mobolaji Johnson terminus was no different.
While I was trying to buy my ticket, at least 6 other people requested 1st and business-class tickets and had to settle for the economy tickets. So train passengers are not the bottom of the ladder, kinbottom-of-the-ladder of passengers.
Unfortunately, the station is designed in such a way that passengers can buy their tickets and get to board the train having passed in front of very few of the shops available. This to me was a sign that proper thought wasn’t given to other sources of revenue apart from the sales of train tickets. this is a serious blunder.
As majestic as our station is, the usual Nigerian culture of poor maintenance is beginning to show. Several of the less trafficked areas showed they had not been cleaned in a while. What would it cost to detail a company to make sure that the entire station is always in top-notch condition?
Anyways finally got unto the train and the economy class cabin I sat in was filled with several people just like me who would have gladly paid more for 1st or biz class tickets.
The air conditioner on the train was very un-Nigerian. Most I am sure many would agree with me that at most of our public services somehow we never get the air conditioning right. In the train many of us had to be getting up to take a stroll so as not to freeze.
With the exception of the speed of the train which was rather pedestrian, the journey itself was rather pleasant.
Along the way though I noticed that the clocks at several of the stations along the way had stopped working. One of passengers sitted close to me also complained that the toilets where also no longer as tidy as they were in the early days. I didn’t use it so I really can’t comment on this.
The train could have done with a bit more detailing where cleaning is concerned though.
Getting off at Ibadan, I tried to buy my return ticket on the 4pm service so I could get a 1st class ticket and I was told they wouldn’t start selling tickets until 2pm. I wonder why.
I engaged one of the managers at the Ibadan station on my observations and you could tell he also was exasperated. None of my observations were new to him. They had reported these observations to their superiors several times and were hoping something would be done soon.
For a project that a loan was taken to execute, breaking even shouldn’t be the goal of the NRC, but profitability so that at least a portion of the profit can be used to pay back the loans.
There is too much money being left on the table.
My conclusion was that this was a project that was done just to deliver an infrastructure project and was not one done from a business perspective.
While the former isn’t necessarily bad, for a country in dire straits like Nigeria and needing to take a loan to finance the project, the latter would have been more desirable.
Considering the fact that we still have several stations under construction, the NRC would do well to be a bit more business-minded in the operations. It would be a crime to see the quality of this service deteriorate or be lost outright due to funding issues.
I used to drive past Fola Osibo, and the huge building will be catching my attention which made me keen on exploring this huge edifice
My interest was driven not because of the beauty of the building, but by the business it housed. I had once owned a salon in slimy Bariga and had the pedicure and manicure service
Nobody came. I struggled and struggled nobody came, and then one day, my barber won Baba Ijebu and left me. I had to sell all the equipment, bought a table tennis board, and donated it to the youths of Adeshina Street in Bariga
So here was this huge business taking up a prime position in highbrow lekki and doing phenomenally well.
I was interested. I was intrigued and wanted to know more. So I worked my contacts and ended up in front of Tola.
Tola is an elegant and sweetly beautiful lady. She spoke sparingly and chose her words. She was first apprehensive of this chatterbox who was asking her so many questions about her business but later warmed up and opened up
The business started in a kiosk at unilag. It was tedious hard and laborious. The errant young girls who pretended to study in that school were her first customers
But she knew she was going to go places with this business. She had a passion for nails and fingers, and they drove her burning desire to deliver first-class services and emerge top in the class.
Slowly, the market started reacting. Her business grew, and before you realize it, she had moved to the island first to Road 14 and then to the present palatial location on Fola Osibo in Lekki.
A yaba location on the serene Montgomery Road still services her pioneer market who can’t seem to get enough of her services
You should come to see the Fola Osibo enclave. The ambiance reminds you of a posh Salon once visited in the emirates.
A courteous staff first greets you and you are offered an assortment of drinks and freshly made snacks
This scared me because I felt it would impact the prices. I shdnt have worried.
Divided into the VVIP, which has super-exclusive treatment offerings and the VIP where I did mine and then the downstairs parlor, the Arcade can take over 40 finicky, posh clients at the same time.
It’s quite impressive. As I seat on the chair, the automatic chair massaging my tired back and the whirlpool swooshing over my legs as the courteous young lady battle with my very stubborn shomolu nails, I once again wonder about her humble beginnings
Did you ever have any doubt in your mind that you would grow this large? She looked at me with a smile, Duke I didn’t quaver.
I didn’t care if I grew or not. I just loved making people beautiful. The sight of well-made nails and the exotic toenails was all I lived for, she said, as she threw a smile of satisfaction.
That assertion is tied very critically with my own thought processes of being yourself, doing what you love, and filling a gap in society as the main push for self-actualization
So what stands you out, I asked?
Attention to detail she echoed.
Yes, the slightest cuticle is thoroughly examined and the perfectly curated service platforms which stand against the very best in the world, especially in their neatness remain a key selling point, especially in its neatness remains a key selling point
As I drive off, I look back at the dream of a young girl who that evening in Unilag as she shut down her tiny kiosk after a long and hard day of work would have said to herself- one day The Duke will be my client.
Today, she has more than surpassed all of her expectations, counting top celebrities and very prominent Nigerians, including First Ladies and major economic titans as her clients.
A truly inspiring story worth being retold.
*Meet Nail Arcade at Babakekere on the 15th, 16th of April and also at the Command Performance on the 2nd of May, 2022
I had like every other Akwa Ibomite heard so much about this Resort but hadn’t had the opportunity to visit much less stay there.
Then I started visiting Uyo a little bit more often. I had wanted to stage my Play- Ibiom within their premises, using their Hall for the wholesale part of the show, while dropping the mass-market version at the Ibom Hall at the city center.
My meeting with the official who said he was the Marketing Director didn’t come out very well as I could sense his lack of interest in my proposal. He was only enamored by the fact that I had done a play on OBJ instead of IBB who ‘gave us our State’.
He promised to get back, I didn’t hold my breath and true to expectation he didn’t call back. I left it to God.
A few months down the line, I stumbled on a petition. The writing was illiterate and the logic was warped. It was downright petty and all sorts of pedophilia allegations were made against the new management of the Hotel.
I hadn’t even connected with the “Icon” besides the Ibom on the new branding of the Hotel. This petition forcefully aligned my thoughts.
So, in a quick meeting with the Chairman, the respected Udeme Ufot, I asked. ‘Lord, why the Icon’. He explained that the Hotel was being managed by an International Hotel Management group based out of Kenya. I left it at that. I was however bemused that we didn’t go for the better-known names in the market or that we didn’t renew the partnership by the better-known brand that had managed it in the past.
I left it and moved the discussions to other areas. Then I was invited by my friend and brother Orman Esin the hardworking Commissioner for Culture and Tourism to a Fashion Expo at the Hotel. The invite included a two-night stay and this gave me the opportunity to experience Ibom and its new management.
The huge foyer opens you to a whole new world. The Golf Course to your right as you drive into the neat grounds of the huge premises. The staff very courteous and neat welcome you and take your bags through a very efficient check-in system into your room.
The room itself envelopes you in warm non-ostentatious luxury. Its calm ambiance reminds you of pedigreed wealth and not the noisy décor of new money. Its balcony opens up to a wide courtyard that reminds you of the old city of Venice.
As you look out, you see dense forest stare back at you and you wonder what could possibly be lurking out there.
You are told the hotel seats on the largest landmass of its kind in Africa. You are also told that the first Telephone Exchange in the Country is within its grounds and the Marina begging for your attention.
You wake up in the morning and wander towards the famous Golf course. But the fear of insecurity all though far from these lush ground’s envelope you. You ask a caddie to lead and then for added security you drop your phone numbers with the security and beg them to call you every ten minutes after all you are the Duke of Shomolu.
The walk was like an incursion into heaven. The swinging green plains of the golf course, the sweet early morning dew, and the fresh sweet breeze just before the sun come up to give you a wonderful sense of self. You walk and try to ignore the calls from the world.
Your phone keeps ringing. Your staff wants to know what to do with the document to His Excellency, your madam wants a video call to be sure you are not with one of the bewitching damsels that litter Uyo, Mudi the legendary fashion designer who is on the trip is already down for breakfast and wanted to know when you were joining in but all you just wanted to do was to detach and float within the scenic portals of this oasis which removes you from the hell that is our country.
Finally, you get to the Marina. It is beautiful in its rusty form. You see the people paddle their canoes, moving goods and humans up its ever-winding neck. It’s all so wonderful and I do not think any other leisure facility in the country would offer you this piece of heaven.
Breakfast with Mudi is a dream. Spoilt for choice, you just seat in wonderment. Guests are coming in and jumping in but I refuse to descend from the heavenly plain the walk has put me through.
In the afternoon, as I indulge? My brother Akan walks in. Akan is the Head of Human resources and I take him on. Why Kenyans? I throw at him. why is Chef Togolese and not from our side? Why is the Afang one kind?
Akan looking very dapper and confident opens his mouth to speak, I see my Lord Gabriel Ukpe and Madam with the side of my eyes. I jump to go say hello and get a hug before I come back to Akan.
Akan is confident, well-read, and well-spoken. He looks like a New York investment banker and a consummate professional. He smiles, ‘Edgar you know our people, they will always write petitions. It will never stop. The challenge is to maintain focus and stay on course’. I look at him and smile as I tuck into the Afang with sweet fresh fish.
Something is just not right with the Afang. I can taste it, there is a little comma and I wonder why. So, I ask for the chef and he listens carefully as I explain that there is something tiny weeny wrong with the Afang.
He apologizes and promises to look into it.
Fast forward, I am sitting with Fred Maina the Group Africa CEO of Icon Hotels in Lagos. The venue is the wonderfully apportioned Cactus Restaurant in Lagos .
He is 64. A grandfather with four wonderful grandchildren. Still very good-looking and healthy. He had just come back from a comprehensive medical checkup and from his mien, you could be sure that that went well.
I trained in Hotel Management School in 1978- he started. Kenya has some of the best Hotel Training Schools in Africa and this is concomitant with the expansive tourist industry the country is known for.
I look at him and believe. So, Icon has been built to provide visionary Hotel management services across the continent. According to him, they are in four African countries including Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal. Their pipeline is growing and they would like to expand more in Nigeria. The market is exciting for them. They will also look at building their own facility one day maybe in Lagos to give the International brands a run for their money.
Ibom Hotels was taken over fairly recently and the Government has started receiving dividends. Something that was of a fairytale according to Fred. The indices are up swinging and a new lease of life is gradually evolving.
The Hotel is due for a massive refurbishment as is expected in international mores and the process has begun working very closely with the State Government as owners and interested Financial institutions. The cashflows are getting stronger and should accommodate the exposure he explains.
As he tucks into his desert, he explains his passion for the river. The plans to bring in Boats, push for Company Retreats and turn the river on the Marina into a wonderful playground for not only guests but tourists that are expected to flood the place.
He loves Akwa Ibom and I can see it as he struggles to pronounce Upenekan a problem he doesn’t have with Ikot Abasi which I think he must have been pronouncing on a daily.
He works with a Team of 50 at the group level and inherits existing staff of managed facilities exposing them to international grade training and exposure.
He says he is lucky to be working with Tope Kayode who is the Managing Director of Icon Hotels Nigeria whose direct responsibility is the Hotel. Tope is a brilliant young technocrat with an uncanny resemblance to iconic Investment Banker Albert Okumagba. Spoken to him severally and met him officially at the Fashion Show.
He comes across as a focused and vison driven soldier who wants nothing but to succeed in this task.
As the evening wore off, I present Fred with my new Book – Anonymous Nipples, he opens the page sees the first picture of a nude model and quietly passes it on to his friend Kayode an Architect and partner.
Kayode opens it and screams, ‘Fred, where will I read this’ he asks and Fred says, ‘I am a grandfather and I am retired’.
As they both contemplate what to do with the book, Kayode’s wife walk’s in and grabs the book and starts reading and looks up and says, ‘ I like the Book’ and we all laugh and I give Fred a hug and rush to my party.
I wish Fred and his team all the luck they can get. They will surely need it and more if they are to succeed in this wonderful task.
thanks
LifeStyle18 is a block of hotel and short-let apartments, equipped with 18
tastefully furnished living quarters – 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, poised to take
over the face of the hospitality arena in the Lekki area of Lagos. These apartments
have been designed to serve the lifestyle needs of holidaymakers,
family getaways, movie shoots, honeymooners, etc.
To make the lodging experience more comfortable, each apartment boasts of:
49’’ LED televisions in the living rooms;
43’’ LED televisions in the bedrooms;
An impressive selection of cable network channels, with soccer channels, for your
viewing pleasure;
Wi-Fi;
Netflix;
Tastefully made and comfortable couches;
Fitted kitchens;
Security;
Constant water supply;
24hr power etc.
Treadmills in select apartments
Glam-UP Salon
Glam-UP Salon is designed to identify the uniqueness in each woman AND accentuate this quality. This is borne out of the consciousness that every woman is beautiful in a unique way. Ours is to ensure that YOU will always be happy, and more glamorous each time you patronize our Glam-UP salon. The Glam-UP Salon offers the following services to women: Pedicure
Manicure Nail treatments Hair cuts
Skyline Spa
Skyline Spa offers a wide range of fantastic skin care and dermatological solutions from
tailored facials, to massages, scrubs and special baths. No matter your skin concern, professional spa staff customize suitable treatment plans to have a patron confident and
glowing in no time. Skin treatments at Skyline Spa are clinically tested,safe, very effective and administered by fully qualified and experienced beauty therapists. More so, the massage rooms, including the traditional Thai massage – Hamman room, steam room and other facilities have skilled hands to meet respective needs. Available also is a world class Jacuzzi, in which one can soak (alone or with apartner), sipping on some wine,cognac, champagne or whisky while savouring the entire experience. The Jacuzzi, situated adjacent the couple massage room, provides an aqua relaxation
therapy for our esteemed guests. It can accommodate six to seven
people at a time, with a wide screen TV for entertainment. Our Jacuzzi is ideal
for parties with intimate friends, as well as bridal showers. It’s a total package at
the LifeStyle18! More so, the massage rooms, including
the traditional Thai massage – Hamman room, steam room and other facilities
have skilled hands to meet respective needs.
LS 18 (Lounge & Grill)
LS 18 (Lounge & Grill) is the rooftop lounge (outdoor and indoor). The all-white décor of the
outdoor space gives you the feel of pure bliss and ecstasy. One also has a picturesque view of the
skyline, as well as an exciting view of part of the Lagos metropolis from this spot. The night view
is simply breath-taking! Available at the lounge is a wide range of beverages, champagne, spirits, wine, beer and assorted grills for your relaxation pleasure. The outdoor lounge is the ideal go-to place for
exclusive birthday parties, bridal shower events, movie shoots, special hangouts and
lots more. The mood lights, fireplace at the bar, TV screens and soccer table provide the perfect
ambience in the indoor space of the lounge.
LS 18 (Lounge & Grill)
Lifestyle18 | 05
LS 18 (Lounge & Grill) is the rooftop lounge (outdoor and indoor). The all-white décor of the
outdoor space gives you the feel of pure bliss and ecstasy. One also has a picturesque view of the
skyline, as well as an exciting view of part of the Lagos metropolis from this spot. The night view
is simply breath-taking! You will truly get the feel of the lifestyle you have always desired at LifeStyle 18.
Madiba Court
This features 2 blocks of 3-bedroom apartments per block, with the rooms
fully en-suite. The property boasts of 24-hour power supply, security,
waste disposal, cable TV and fully fitted kitchens. Guests are bound to
enjoy the ambience, generated by the modern furnishing in the
apartments.
Hotel Madiba
Hotel Madiba is a hotel strategically located in Ikate Elegushi, Lekki. The
hotel boasts of state-of-the-art furniture, artwork, fittings etc. Hotel
Madiba guarantees 24-hour power, 24-hour security, cable TV, Netflix, free
Wi-Fi, and constant water supply. Guests can also enjoy the luxury of
getting all their needs met at the Kohinoor Mall, which is directly opposite
the hotel. Get salon services, and products as grills, fresh akara and pap
every morning; grocery and fresh produce every day; the best African and
Continental delicacies at Kohinoor Restaurant; and luxury lounges for
quality relaxation at your fingertips!