FUNSHO AROGUNDADE
As the newly upgraded iconic Premier Hotel, Ibadan is nearing completion of its major remodelling into a five-star luxury destination, the Group Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL), Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, said President Bola Tinubu will commissioned it on June 25.
Otunba Ashiru disclosed this on Tuesday during a facility tour of the ongoing construction and later courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.
He said the President will lead other dignitaries to reopen the redeveloped 154-room hotel located on the hills of Mokola in the heart of Oyo State Capital, driven by Odu’a Investment Company Limited and its joint venture partners.
Ashiru said the hotel –the pride of the Western region– has been upgraded from the previous 87 rooms to 154 luxury rooms, with the expansion of other facilities, including swimming pools.
“It will also have international-standard conference facilities, a modern spa and fitness centre, multiple restaurants serving African and continental cuisine, and a rooftop bar with panoramic city views,” he said.
He explained that the old structure was not demolished in order to preserve the legacy of its founding fathers but was upgraded to meet modern international standards.
Ashiru added that furniture and other equipment are already on the ground, stressing that guests will enjoy the services of the new facility.
According to him, “The contractors are working day and night to meet the timeline for the commissioning of the project in June 2026. All the facilities needed for the interior decoration have been bought, but are yet to be installed because the works are still ongoing.
“I can assure you that everything will be set by June 25, which is the set date for the commissioning of the project. President Bola Tinubu is expected to lead other dignitaries at the commissioning of the project.”
The Group Chairman, however, revealed that full operations at the redeveloped Premier Hotel will commence before the end of the year.
Ashiru further provided updates on key projects, including the ongoing redevelopment of Premier Hotel and the refurbishment of Cocoa House, describing them as part of efforts to restore Ibadan’s status as a major economic hub.
He added that Odu’a Investment Company had received and reviewed the letter from the Olubadan Economic and Investment Committee, expressing readiness for transparent and constructive engagement.
“Odu’a Investment Company remains irrevocably committed to Ibadanland. We will not relent until every idle asset is productive and every willing son and daughter of Ibadan finds dignified work,” he said.
In his address, Oba Ladoja said Odu’a can compete with any business across the world.
“I am happy Odu’a has survived till now. If it has survived this long, there is no reason it will not continue to survive.
“We have many assets being taken over by foreigners. For instance, we have a lot of minerals in the South-West; if you don’t take care of them, others will.
“Our desire is to make the Odu’a states what our forefathers envisioned them to be — to be first. We are not competing with you; we want to complement you. We want to meet the standards set by our fathers or surpass them.
“Let us do that for our sake and for generations to come. I intend to call DAWN, SWDC and Odu’a together to ensure we synergise. What stops us from having our own trains or our own refinery?
“We have been leading Nigeria. Everything first started from Western Nigeria. Help us retain our first position,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Ori Olokun brass head sculpture to the monarch.
Dignitaries at the event included the Otun Balogun of Ibadan, Oba Kola Adegbola; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadan, Oba Akeem Adewoyin; former CCII President-General, Chief Bayo Oyero; and the GMD/CEO of Odu’a, Mr Abdulrahman Yinusa, among others.
