- An Ibadan based businessman, Otunba Reuben Famiyibo has again let out one of the many business ideas up his sleeve. As his Ruby Gold hotel is set to take the hospitality sector of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, by storm.
The 22 rooms hotel (seven executive, seven deluxe and four suites) comes with a special package and its uniqueness. The suites are neatly carved out with separate waiting room where lodgers can attend to visitor without going into the room, thereby creating the home away from home feeling.
- Apart from the fact that the rooms are tastefully furnished and well arranged, the building also houses a cinema, bar, a night club, shopping mall as well as electronics and furniture showrooms. It is also located right at Dugbe, the Ibadan's central business district.
While speaking on what really prompted the idea of having the hotel and in Dugbe for that matter? Otunba Famuyibo revealed that the idea was berth out of his exposure and experience in business.
"Back in the days, Dugbe used to be the most notorious spot in Ibadan. But when I started constructing this edifice, people though I was mad. That how would you come and erect such building in the heart of Ibadan, but people that had traveled wide are aware of the fact that business districts are always very good. The concept actually came when I did a survey. Between IBDC office here, cocoa house to Ecobank by Ogunpa, we have over 3,789 workers. They will need breakfast or launch and most of these bankers also don't have their families here. Some go to Lagos by weekends, but before you go to Lagos at the weekend, you may want to have a feel or hangout and all that. I was once in Paris, the best place you can have your launch in Paris is business centre, same in Amsterdam or Oxford Circus in London and other places.Unfortunately here, we have grown old suddenly because after work, you go home straight. After office hours, you need a place to go to relax your nerves and cool your brain. That is why the concept of this place is total. My law firm is there, we have a lounge and a cinema".
When asked why another hotel when there are hotels all over the place? Famuyibo optimistically said, "we don't have enough yet. If your hotel is okay, you will have great patronage. As a man, you need to take your wife out, you are a journalist, if you want to write, you can go to a hotel, you won't have to bother about power cut or having to fuel the generator. Take the stress away and prolong your life".On the issue of security, he said, "since we laid the foundation, there has been no major issue. SARS is opposite us, banks are around us with policemen and we also have our own security and the police patrol here is all round the clock".But no matter amount of commitment and projection one may has, running a business naturally comes with challenges. How is Famuyibo going to cope with these challenges and the risk involved? "Apart from the normal challenges, the major one has to do with our orientation. An average Nigerian will ask why spend #5,000 to sleep in a hotel? I used to be stupid like that but when. You sleep in a friend's house, when you are leaving, you give the children money. In England, if you pay £50 in a hotel, they will change the bed sheets for you. We need to give ourselves comfort and not feel like we are in a dark age."On the issue of risk, if I am taking a risk, I know it is a positive risk. What I am doing will bring people to this place. We are targeting the people around us here. If a place is a commercial area, you should make it attractive to people. And I am sure you are aware that 36 percent of the revenue Lagos generated last December came from entertainment", he said.Speaking on the services, he disclosed that there is free breakfast, free wi-fi and a free shuttle bus for our guests”. He also shed light on the cinema, which he said will be in two phases. “I want a cinema that can compete with the best. The first phase will sit 150 people while the second is a 500 seater. There, you will have popcorn and a bottle of water free of charge”.
The real estate sector in Oyo State, especially Ibadan, the capital city, is currently experiencing what could best be described as a mega boom. Thanks to the few investors who saw the vision years back and keyed into it by contributing their quotas to the development of the sector. Kudos also to the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the state for creating an enabling environment (the successive governments couldn't be excused from the success story too). Not only has Makinde's administration created an enabling environment, it has introduced some investors-friendly policies, and as well undertook partnerships that had really helped in bringing about the unprecedented developments in the sector. This has also created room for options for those who are interested in both luxury and low cost estates. Its also explains reasons for the many real estate projects (both completed and ongoing) all over the place. There are developments and construction almost everywhere in Ib
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