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Why Anambra needs a world-class hotel in Awka

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By Christian ABURIME

Anambra State Government’s strategic plan to build a 10-storey international hotel in Awka has sparked controversy in different quarters.

While some dismiss it as an unnecessary project of less priority, others understandably recognise it as a strategic investment in the state’s future.

This contributory intervention is nuanced in the proposition that building a world-class hotel in Awka is not just about luxury accommodation; it is about laying the foundation for a thriving international business hub to attract the much-needed investors and development as it is done in other parts of the world.

As a global imperative, stately hotels are stepping stones to progress in modern society. Transforming a city into an international centre of commerce and tourism requires more than just ambition. It demands a strategic approach that prioritises infrastructure and amenities that cater to a global audience and that is precisely what Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, is doing.

Governor Soludo’s vision for Awka recognises the crucial role of hospitality in attracting international investors. Think of Dubai, a desert metropolis that rose from obscurity to become a gleaming beacon of trade and tourism. Its journey began not with oil, but with a conscious effort to create a world-class destination.

Its luxurious hotels were not mere embellishments; they were magnets that drew in business leaders, investors, and tourists, setting the stage for the city’s phenomenal growth that has become the envy of not only the United Arab Emirates but the whole of Middle East and the global community. And this is the same story in Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo and other thriving cities of the world where mega towering hotels litter their environments as massive crowd-pullers.

Closer home in Africa, Rwanda’s economic resurgence is another demonstration of the power of hospitality infrastructure. Despite facing immense challenges, the Rwandan government prioritised the development of international hotels, recognising their potential to attract investment and rebuild the nation’s image.

Today, Rwanda is a thriving tourist destination and a magnet for foreign direct investment, a success story fueled in part by its commitment to providing world-class hospitality. And would Abuja, our own national capital city, and Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, have become irresistible magnets for all-comers today without their superlative world-class hotels?

Beyond being a facility for lodging, the ripple effects of a world-class hotel go a long way. Yes, the benefits of an international hotel in Awka will extend far beyond providing comfortable accommodation for guests. It will serve as a catalyst for broader economic development, triggering a ripple effect that benefits the entire state.

The benefits include the following: Job Creation: Construction, management, and operation of the hotel will create hundreds of new jobs, directly injecting income into Anambra’s local economy.

*Enhanced Business Environment:* The presence of a world-class hotel will signal to potential investors that Anambra is serious about attracting international business. This improved perception can lead to increased investment in various sectors, from manufacturing to technology.

*Tourism Boost:* A luxurious hotel will cater to high-end tourists, opening doors for Anambra to tap into the lucrative tourism market. This influx of visitors will not only generate revenue but also showcase the state’s cultural heritage and natural beauty to the world.

*Infrastructure Development:* The construction of the hotel will likely necessitate upgrades to surrounding infrastructure, such as roads, transportation, and utilities which Governor Soludo is currently putting in place. These improvements will benefit not just the hotel but the entire city of Awka.

Aside the foregoing attendant benefits, Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo is determined to lay the foundation for Anambra to become a truly competitive state. Everything fits into his grand vision of transforming the state into a livable, prosperous modern city-state.

That is why his government is restoring security, law and order; rebuilding our transport infrastructure (over 450 kilometres of roads under construction) including developing a rail master plan, dualisation of major roads, zero potholes; facilitating unprecedented empowerment of thousands of youths; guaranteeing free education and free health care for pregnant women; securing employment of over 10,000 citizens in less than two years (teachers, medical professionals and security officers); building a new industrial city and regenerating old cities; building Awka Fun City; revamping of public water schemes; and so on.

Now, Governor Soludo is changing gears in transformative governance, to begin a journey towards making Anambra a modern city-state by designing a new Awka (Awka 2.0 industrial city) and a new Onitsha (Onitsha 2.0 commercial city) which will attract international capital, investment and development to the state.

Currently, some serious investors are reluctant to come to or stay in Anambra State due to the absence of a world-class hotel to make them feel comfortable as they are used to in developed countries. The vision for Awka 2.0 as a new ultra-modern industrial city is not merely about aesthetics; it is about building a future-oriented city that can compete on the global stage.

An international luxurious hotel is a crucial piece of this puzzle, symbolising Anambra’s commitment to progress and setting the stage for a new era of prosperity. While some may view the hotel as an extravagant expense of less priority, it is important to remember that true progress often requires bold investments. The potential rewards of attracting international investment, creating jobs, and boosting tourism far outweigh the initial costs.

Anambra has the potential to be a thriving economic hub in the mould of an African Dubai-Taiwan paradigm, and a world-class hotel in Awka can be the catalyst that unlocks its true potential.

In conclusion, the hysteria surrounding the proposed Awka international hotel should not just be about bricks and mortar; it should be about Anambra’s vision for its future. By embracing this strategic investment, Anambra State can position itself as a leading player in Nigeria, Africa and the global marketplace, creating a brighter future for generations to come.

The choice is clear: Anambra State can choose to remain a glorified town-state, or it can seize the opportunity to build a world-class capital city that attracts investment, fosters innovation, and thrives on the international stage.

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Gov Alex Otti visits Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto prison

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Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.

Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.

Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.

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Terrorists abduct bride, bridesmaids in Sokoto attack

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Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State

The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.

A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.

 

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Dangote Refinery to supply 1.5bn litres of petrol monthly

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….Writes NMDPRA, Engages Marketers to Stabilise Fuel Market

Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.

“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.

Photo caption: L R: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.

Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.

“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.

He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.

During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.

She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.

Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.

“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.

In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.

“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.

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