It was pomp and pageantry in Akure, Ondo State capital on Thursday, August 3, 2023 as Idanre born politician and philanthropist, Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye opened the biggest hospitality hub in the Sunshine State.
The grand opening of VATA City Centre was also celebrated with the 39th birthday of Adefisoye, who is better known as Small Alhaji. The state of the art facility, which houses a 5- star Stoney Grey hotel and a 5-Star restaurant, was commissioned by the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi.
The apex hospitality hub also houses a state of the art night club and game arcade. The VATA City Centre also has an Old Wine Lounge that is lavishly completed with a Pool Bar and VIP seats for VVIP guests. The facility is equally completed with a world class conference hall that is purposely built for conferences, meetings, trainings, seminars and all other corporate events.
The Stoney Grey hotel within the VATA City Centre is modelled as a boutique hotel which offers guests ultra-personal service. The facility also customizes toiletries and amenities of guests and equally help the guest to acclimatize and stay true to the local culture of its location.
Also, the Stoney Grey hotel is equally a small-inventory, design-driven facility that places special focus on authenticity and personalization.
In a bid to regularly meet and even surpass expectations of guests, Adefisoye has thus far hired 130 staff that include the very best in the Nigerian hospitality business to provide cutting edge services. He has also cautiously hired the best chefs around the country to meet the culinary needs of guests to the hospitality hub.
Assorted music that cut across different generations were supplied at the grand opening of VATA City Centre by the legendary Sir. Shina Peters and rave of the moment juju artistes, Demola Suzi, Dapsing and Destiny Music.
While the cutting of ribbon to commission the hospitality facility was done by Hon. Akin Alabi; he was however accompanied during the commissioning by Hon. Adegeye Olawande and Alhaji Saliu. Special prayer was thereafter offered by the Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji Yayi Akorede.
Speaking after the commissioning, Adefisoye said the same facility could have been sited either in Lagos or Abuja, but for his burning love for Ondo State. The City Centre CEO added that he was aware that the investment would create jobs for the people of Ondo State and also promote commercial activities in the state capital.
“I thank Almighty Allah for making this dream a reality today. I have chosen not to site this investment in Lagos or Abuja because of my love for Ondo State. As you can see, about 130 staff have been employed here and we still plan to employ more. These jobs would have been taken up by people from another state if this hospitality hub was not sited in Ondo State. I am confident that this facility will promote commercial activities in Akure, the capital of our dear Sunshine State”.
Meanwhile, a special birthday cake was presented to Hon. Adefisoye by the staff of VATA City Centre. Also, members of Small Alhaji Mandate Group from Idanre and Ifedore Local Government Areas were fully on ground as they felicitated the celebrant with songs and dances.
Dignitaries that graced the two-in-one event include the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, who was accompanied by members of state House of Assembly; Hon. Akin Alabi, Hon. Rasaq Obe, who is Ondo State Commissioner for Mines and Energy and Dr. Tola Awosika. Other were Hon. George Olawande Adegeye, member representing Amuwo Odofin federal constituency of Lagos State; Mr. Wale Jana and Mr. Tunde Wear It All, the CEO of Wear It All Luxury.
