From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Late Sunny Iwedike Odogwu (Ide Ahaba), Former Chairman, Grand Hotel, Resort and Convention Centre, Asaba; and Late Rabo Saleh, Former President of FTAN have been honoured with a Posthumous Award at the recently concluded Hotel Industry Excellence Sustainability Awards (HIESA)
The award ceremony took place during the 7th International Hospitality, Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF) at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel (Former Sheraton), recently.
The Posthumous awards is under the
Outstanding Lifelong Contributions to the Travel & Hospitality Industry category.
According to the Executive Director of IHTEF, Engr. Chibuikem Diala MIH, “Late Chief Sunny Odogwu, (Ide Ahaba), was a phenomenal and courageous hospitality investor whose personal sacrifices, investments and leadership roles towards the development of the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria is memorable.
“He was a courageous investor who took a big investment risk in the development of Grand Hotel, the Paradise by the Niger and by that left a legacy for employees and for the Asaba community. He was indeed a major force that pioneered tourism traffic to Delta State and to Nigeria.
“Chief Odogwu did not only invest in infrastructure and hotel aesthetics, he invested in the development of human resources by providing the best training opportunities for employees of Grand Hotel.
“He did not play with the career development, welfare and growth of staffs of the hotel. He employed both expatriates and indigenous professionals to mentor, train, and support hotel staff. Though he passed on six years ago, many of those employees are exceptional managers and leaders in the industry, flying high and keeping the course”.
On his part, “Alhaji Saleh Rabo who died four years ago was a phenomenal and courageous Travel and Tourism practitioner, a remarkable leader and detribalized Nigerian who believed in the future of our nation through travel and tourism.
“As President of FTAN, he made personal sacrifices and leadership decisions geared towards the development of the sector and he welcomed and promoted ideas that will support the growth of the industry. His, was a short life but filled with grace, refreshing candour, passion, commitment, service and honour.
Late Alhaji Rabo Saleh was a huge inspiration and support to the International Hospitality, Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF). He believed in the IHTEF vision and ensured the conference succeeded in 2019 when it first debuted in Abuja.
The Marketing Manager Grand Hotel, Asaba, Mrs Christabel Iwu, recieved the award on behalf of Grand Hotel, Convention Centre and Resort Asaba. While Alhaji Idris, a former Director General of Nihotour received the award on behalf of the Rabo Saleh family.
Note- The Hotel Industry Excellence & Sustainability Award (HIESA), is the hospitality industry’s renowned
premium award event that recognizes and rewards organizations and individuals that have helped in
the growth, development and sustainability of the hospitality and tourism sector via personal sacrifices, outstanding leadership, policies, innovation, investments, management, quality products, and excellence in service.
The HIESA awards also recognizes individuals, hospitality businesses and other organizations that have shown demonstrated commitment to hospitability workforce development, resource efficiency and verifiable sustainable operating practices that seek to protect the environment.