NEWS
Hundreds engaged, govt excited as construction work advances at Kwara Hotel
- Iconic Innovation Hub gets final touches
Kwara State Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology (BIT) Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun on Monday conducted a facility tour of the Kwara Hotel, a hospitality industry that is currently undergoing massive remodeling to meet international standards.
Between 150 and 350 people, mostly Kwarans, are fully engaged in the construction works which have seen the hotel undergo unprecedented facility upgrades and expansions.
Yusuf-Adelodun, who led reporters round the facility in Ilorin, said work has exceeded 25 per cent target that the Ministry gave the contractor for this particular period, commending Craneburg Construction Company for a well done job.
“The work done so far has actually exceeded our initial timeline. From the Ministry’s assessment, this work has already reached 25 per cent completion. Initially, it was supposed to be at 20 per cent at this time. So the contractor is moving fast, and they are doing their work efficiently,” she said.
“In the next few months, we hope it will move faster. So we are within the timeline.
“The decision to remodel Kwara Hotel is because it is a real legacy of Kwarans. Anybody who lives here knows the significance of Kwara Hotel, and His Excellency made a wise decision in turning it around in a manner never seen before.
“This is a completely new facility in terms of what is going in there. You can see the quality yourself. From what you can see, there is a central cooling system for each of the units. There is an automated fire system, an automated DMS system, and you can also see a solar component to power the hotel.
“This means that if there is no light from the national grid or the generators are not working (because we have more than three generators that will service this hotel), you will still be able to have light and maintain the operations of the hotel without any interruption.”
The Commissioner commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for thinking it wise to refurbish the hotel, which she noted is of high importance to the state.
The Ministry is committed to ensuring that the hotel renders great services to be able to meet international standards, she said.
Project Manager, Craneburg Construction Company, Mohammed Yamout, for his part, said their firm is reputed for international standards and will not deliver anything short of the required standards in the execution of the project.
Mohammed said the company is working round the clock to deliver their work within the stipulated period, adding that what is being done is as good as delivering a completely new hotel fitted with the best accessories.
“Whether in the demolition or the rebuilding, everything we do is of international standard. We ensure a good high quality in the execution of mechanical, electrical, and the cooling system, among other features and designs. Many of the fixtures were never there before.
“Our contract has 24 months for delivery, starting from January 2024. We are doing our best and in line with the agreement. It is our promise to deliver it within the shortest time possible.”
The Commissioner similarly conducted journalists round the Innovation Hub, which she said seeks to promote ICT startups technology skills among the youth as envisioned by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The ICT Innovation Hub is at the completion stage, she said, adding that it should be ready by the fourth quarter of the year.
“Already, we have a partnership with IHS Tower. As you can see from the top, the project is taking shape as envisioned by His Excellency,” she said.
“It is a one-of-its-kind facility in the country. It can operate totally off-grid because of the solar system embedded into it.
“The project will attract start-up and technological companies into the state. We look forward to having companies like IHS Towers, Google, and others to be here. This will promote ease of doing business and create job opportunities for more than 10,000 young people.”
NEWS
“Our Technology Infrastructure Now Best in Class, Thanks for Your Understanding”, Zenith Assures Customers
Zenith Bank Plc has announced that it now boasts the best technology infrastructure in the banking industry, positioning itself to provide an exceptional customer experience and superior service delivery moving forward. This upgrade follows a recent comprehensive technology enhancement.The bank expressed its heartfelt gratitude to customers for their support and patience throughout the upgrade process, while also extending apologies for any inconveniences experienced during this time.This announcement was made in a social media post on Wednesday, signed by Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the Group Managing Director/CEO. In her message, the GMD/CEO emphasized the bank’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled service experience, stating, “We undertook this upgrade to ensure we can offer our customers the best possible service.”Umeoji pledged that Zenith Bank will continue to innovate, ensuring that customer needs are met swiftly, safely, and conveniently.The post read in part: “On behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of Zenith Bank PLC, I would like to thank you for your patience and support during our IT infrastructure migration to a new and more robust operating system. “We are truly grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in us. The primary reason for undertaking this extensive endeavor was to better position Zenith Bank PLC for improved service delivery to all our valued customers and to create memorable banking experiences at all our touchpoints.”While I regret the inconveniences and challenges you faced during and immediately after our migration, I am pleased to inform you that Zenith Bank PLC now has the best technology infrastructure in the industry. We are committed to ensuring you experience superior service delivery going forward.”Rest assured, you remain our top priority, and Zenith Bank will continue to innovate and offer value-added products and services to meet all your banking needs quickly, safely, and conveniently.”
NEWS
Ecobank Nigeria Has Best ‘Web Portal’ in Nigeria – Digital Jurist Awards
Lagos, November 6, 2024 – Ecobank Nigeria has been awarded the “Best Web Portal” in Nigeria at the Phillips Consulting Digital Jurist Awards, ahead of 22 other commercial banks. This prestigious recognition highlights Ecobank’s leadership in digital banking and its commitment to delivering innovative, customer-focused solutions. The Digital Jurist Awards, created by digital experts at Phillips Consulting, assess the performance and effectiveness of digital platforms across various industries, including banking, telecommunications, and government. The evaluation covers websites, web portals, mobile apps, and social media, with a focus on organizations that have excelled in digital transformation. Kola Adeleke, Executive Director of Commercial Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, said the award is a reflection of the bank’s commitment to using digital technology to enhance customer experience. He emphasized that digital banking is the future of the industry, and Ecobank has long embraced this shift. He also commended the organizers and reiterated the bank’s dedication to providing seamless, reliable, and secure digital banking solutions. The recognition reinforces Ecobank’s position as a leader in digital innovation and highlights the growing role of technology in shaping the future of banking. Ecobank Nigeria is an affiliate of the Ecobank Group, the leading private pan-African banking group. Ecobank Nigeria offer a comprehensive suite of financial services and solutions to Consumer, Commercial, Corporate and Investment Banking clients at over 250 branches and 60,000 Xpress Point agencies. The Ecobank Group was established in 1985 to drive the financial integration and socio-economic development in Africa. With a presence in 35 sub-Saharan African countries as well as in France, the UK, UAE and China, Ecobank has unrivalled expertise and experience across Africa. Its pan-African platform provides a single gateway for payments, cash management, trade and investment across Africa and beyond.
NEWS
We’re Satisfied With Progress At FIRS — Reps Committee On Finance
The House of Representatives Committee on Finance has commended the level of progress and achievements being made by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), promising that it will not withhold any support needed by the agency.
The Committee members, who were on an oversight visit, held a meeting with FIRS management at the Revenue House in Abuja, on Tuesday, and also toured the agency’s permanent headquarters in the Central Business District currently under construction.
The lawmakers, according to a statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, were conducted round the 17-floor building by the Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr Kunle Ogidi.
Chairman of the Committee, Honourable James Faleke expressed satisfaction at the transformation in FIRS under the chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and the increased tax revenue, pledging continued support of the Committee for the initiatives of the agency.
“For us, we can only commend the staff and Management of FIRS and of course the contractors for a job well done. We have seen the quality work being done. They have designed it very well and where we asked them questions, they answered. We are satisfied. We say kudos to FIRS.
“We first went to the temporary building where the FIRS is using now and of course we met the Directors and everybody. Why we have taken time to come on oversight is to allow him to fully settle and we have seen the evidence that he has fully settled.
“His work is very smooth and we could see on the faces of staff. We decided to come to the proposed permanent site. We have seen the progress so far. Like the architect said, the project began 2011 and it will be completed next year.
“We expect that when that is done and the Nigerian Revenue Service bill is passed, it will be launched in this building. And we expect more revenue to come to Nigeria.
On if the Committee is encouraged to continue to support FIRS, Faleke said: “We have also supported FIRS. Our committee is the main committee. If we withdraw our support, there will be a collapse of the system. It isn’t about being encouraged, it is about us doing our job, to do what is right.”
The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Zacch Adedeji thanked the Committee for their visit and support, stating that FIRS will continue to collaborate with the National Assembly to move Nigeria forward.
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