The President of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN, Dr. Aliyu Badaki has commended the management of Eko Hotel and Suites and Wheatbaker Hotel, Lagos for their collaborations, partnerships and support over the years.
The President of FTAN while commending the management of Eko Hotel during a courtersy visit to the Hotel on Tuesday also congratulated its management on their recent 50th anniversary celebration.
Badaki noted: “We celebrate with you because its an achievement worth celebrating, it was a huge success, we are happy to be part of the celebration and also rejoice with you too and hope that Eko Hotel will keep flying”.
He applauded the hotel for being safety and security conscious, pointing out that last year November, the Federation gave the hotel an award in regards to safety.
He stated further: “To the best of our knowledge, you assisted Lagos state in the area of fire figthing.
“The kind of equipment you have, the training you have for your staff and how much you have invested both in training and infrastructure, no other hotel around here in Nigeria has it.
“You have invested hugely in that area.
We have to praise you on that and thank you so much.
“What we do as the umbrella body of all the private associations that are involved in tourism businesses and private sector in Nigeria is to align with our members, the investors, associations and hotels like Eko Hotel.
“We wish you well and we do hope that the collaboration you have been enjoying will continue”.
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At the Weatbaker Hotel, Badaki also emphasised the need for collaboration and support.
FTAN President explained that its cardinal point is to protect the interests of their members where the need arises.
Badaki said: “We’ve been doing that very well. We’re having robust engagements with the government and some other agencies.
And that means striving to ensure that proper things are done that will promote our business and have a conducive environment to work”.
In his response, the Managing Director of Eko Hotels and Suites, Mr Ghassan Faddoul who was accompanied by Chief Samuel Alabi, company Secretary of Eko Hotels and former President and BOT chairman of FTAN respectively, appreciated the body for the courtesy visit and words of appreciation.
He noted that when government supports the private sector in achieving their ultimate goal, the private sector will together with the government push the industry forward.
ln his remarks, the General Manager of Wheatbaker Hotel, Mr Paul Kavanagh welcomed the idea of collarboration and support from FTAN.
Kavanagh welcomed the partnership and support from FTAN.
The GM stressed that the hotel has done so much in the area of corporate social responsiblity which remained largely unpublicised.
He revealed that the hotel is in the process of expansion and currently aims to build “the greatest hotel this part of Africa, including the whole of West Africa, has ever seen”.
Victoria Ibanga
