Group managing director of Odu’a Investment Limited, Mr. Adewale Raji, has debunked the rumor, that, the mokola’s hill Premier Hotel has been sold, said, it was temporarily shut down and its facilities are being upgraded to a five-star.
The very renowned and oldest hotel in Nigeria, Premier Hotel owned by Western Hotel Limited and a subsidiary of Odu’a Investment Limited, was shut down in order to upgrade to a 5-star hotel while becoming the first 5-star hotel in Oyo State.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the visit to the Mokola Hill Premises of the hotel on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, saw it deserted. Private security guards were seen diverting visitors from the hotel and informing them that the hotel was already shut down since Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Mr. Adewale Raji, after being contacted testified to the development, informing the reporters that the hotel is being shut down temporarily and its facilities are being upgraded to a five-star hotel.
In his statement, he said, “in line with our plans to make our hotel world-class, we are renovating Premier Hotel and upgrading its facilities to make it a five-star hotel, in collaboration with a global brand chosen by the board with the help of KPMG and approval of the shareholders.
The GM further explained, “we want to increase the number of rooms we have and increase the capacity of the halls. We are conscious of the health and safety of the people, so we had to disengage the employees. We had to pay all of them off”.
He added that the decision was in the best interest of the region and people and that was why the group is working with an internationally renowned partner to improve the hotel’s services and reputation
Mr. Raji however, debunked the news that it has been sold and that arrangements were being made to ensure that Premier hotel retains its name.
He concluded that all the owner state governors were aware of the decision and have given their approval.
Premier hotel has been battling with low patronage as it is one of the oldest hotels in Nigeria and also has outdated facilities and ageing structures. This has resulted in the management board seeking to rescue the hotel and shore up its fortunes.
