Speech by Dr. Kayode Adegbulugbe at the JAGZ Hotel Opening: October 1st, 2024
Your Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, and all our distinguished guests, I would like to respectfully stand on existing protocol. Welcome to the JAGZ Hotel, where we believe that excellence knows no borders. We are committed to providing unparalleled comfortable and luxurious hospitality.
Your Excellency, your administration’s relentless infrastructure drive during Omituntun 1.0 has positioned Oyo State as the premier destination for investments among the savvy business elite in Nigeria. The remarkable infrastructure developments that we are witnessing now echo the transformative policies of Baba Awolowo of blessed memory. Sir, I am not a politician; I am simply a child of history. Should we break all political protocols and proclaim our beloved Gomina the Arole Baba Awolowo?
This project has been a testament to local talent and capability. Completed within 21 months on a turnkey basis by the esteemed indigenous company, El Sabio Construction, led by the industrious Engineer Tunji Akinboro, a brilliant local talent with no foreign degree, and supported by his capable colleague, Bode Falope. This timeline is, perhaps, a world record for such a complex undertaking, demonstrating that, given the right environment, our indigenous companies can compete with and surpass their international counterparts. I am proud of what these two omoluabis have achieved without the use of cranes or other expensive construction equipment.
It may interest you, Sir, to know that there were no formal contracts between Akinboro and my company. Our collaboration operates on trust and integrity, which reaffirms my belief that the Omoluabi ethos bestowed upon us by our forefathers must play a vital role in shaping modern African capitalist engagements.
Your Excellency, today marks not just the commissioning of a hotel; it is a historic moment as we launch the first indigenous luxury hotel brand in Africa. Choosing Ibadan as the location for our vision was a strategic decision. In this global age, discerning investors look to maximize profits by investing where opportunities abound and resistance to the flow of capital is minimal. For the record, we received our approval to construct this edifice within just four weeks of application—a feat that is impressive by any global standard—and we adhered strictly to all legal protocols without incurring any extra costs. We are deeply appreciative of this support, Sir.
Africa is undoubtedly the true home of hospitality, and we are dedicated to reaffirming this fact within the global hospitality sphere. We have already commenced the construction of a 5-star hotel in Abuja and plan to expand our presence across Nigeria and Africa over the next 5-10 years. We are confident that this is Africa’s time, and we are committed to investing in the future of our beloved continent.
Your Excellency, as a testament to the effectiveness of your administration’s infrastructure developments during Omituntun 1.0, driving from Victoria Island to the JAGZ Hotel now takes less than 90 minutes without encountering a single pothole. This has prompted me to invite some of the corporate giants from Lagos to this event, urging them to consider Ibadan as a competitive venue for their corporate meetings, conferences, and retreats instead of taking our nation’s dollars to Kigali, Cape Town, Dubai, or Qatar. As the saying goes, “Omo eni kii sedi bebere kafi ileke sidi omo elomi.” Bring those dollars home to Ibadan; we welcome all legal tenders!
To those who question why we chose Ibadan for our first luxury hospitality brand, I encourage them to seek proper grounding in history. Oyo State should never have to justify its place as a frontrunner in quality and excellence. Must we be reminded of our rich heritage—the first African television station, Cocoa House, Premier Hotel, Liberty Stadium, the University of Ibadan, and the Ibadan Teaching Hospital? Or of the great Oyo Empire, which brought civilization to many? A kan ni ki a fi ye won ni wipe, Oyo ko se bi baba enikan, aji se bi oyo laari. They must embrace this reality and cease their rhetorical questions!
Your Excellency, my company has proactively aligned with your Omituntun 2.0 vision, which emphasizes utilizing the enormous tourism and solid minerals potentials of our state for the benefit of the Oyo State populace. Oyo State will proudly compete with any tourist destination worldwide, with Ibadan poised to become the preferred weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of Lagos.
We believe that tourists from around the world can revel in the luxury and comfort that the JAGZ Hotel offers, using Ibadan as their base while exploring the region’s rich historical and touristic attractions, including the suspended lakes in Ado Awaye, the historical cities of Ile Ife, Osogbo, Ogbomosho, and Oyo town, as well as the Idanre hills and Ikogosi warm springs.
On behalf of Nigeria’s organized private sector, of which my company is a key stakeholder, I want to unequivocally pledge our support for your visions for Oyo State, Nigeria, and the African diaspora. Please count on us, Sir.
Lastly, Your Excellency, we express our profound gratitude to you for your leadership in nurturing the modern Oyo State, restoring the pride of the Yoruba race, firmly reestablishing Africa on the global stage, and instilling a sense of hope and purpose in all Africans as we confidently stride across the globe with our heads held high.
●Thank you, Your Excellency.
