Personality in Focus
Eno Dagwor, Doing Amazing Things at CRISPAN Hospitality
By Frank Meke
Having travelled and stayed in most top rated hospitality institutions, around the world, hotels in focus, grading and classification of hospitality businesses in Nigeria, takes me off the drift. Indeed, it is a serious business to grade, classify hotels and related enterprises across Nigeria which is as diverse as our culture.
Right at the hill top city of Jos and majestically announcing its luxury presence, is a 200 bed hospitality giant, not in the hue of many I had seen or stayed across Nigeria, but off a different perspective and statement of reality.
It’s sheer size and pristine location, is awesome and intimidating, spreading its wings, in a telling pride as a peacock. CRISPAN hotel sits in a city within a city, with hands stretched out, in various apartments and Presidential suits, more than a mere replication of grandiose living.
If you are the type that likes your choice of accomodation and culinary offerings, to be made bare before you, then CRISPAN is the place to be. From its massive gate, the architecture and designs, wafts through the mind, and the eyes, leading the heart to the festival of choices, non regrettable and everything, an experience.
“Sir, would you guys want to stay with us,” a pretty looking front office staff asked me as my friend and I made our way around, muttering in a excited conversation about this new Cockrow of hospitality on the Plateau.
As wont with me, searching out for Operational heads of most hotels thrills me. Why, you may ask? In this business, the hood makes the monk, take it or leave it. A hospitality outfit is not defined by its brand or name but by those behind its survival, reach and acceptance.
This business is about the manager, the vision, the passion, connections and experience. Here at CRISPAN, an Amazon, not on the lips in the industry yet but silently redefining hospitality, and keeping Jos, the Plateau state tourism capital of Nigeria, on the watch and wish list of visitors and holiday makers.
Eno Dagwor? Heard about her? Delectable, hospitable and stylist, prefers to let the services in her hotel rate her competence. With degree certificates in Business Administration and Hospitality and Tourism, Eno Dagwor nee Tom, bestride the hospitality and tourism sector, leaving behind taillights of achievements and Professionalism, deserving gold medals.
She had done profitable timeouts at Proof hotels and lounge, lekki, Lagos, Peninsula Hotels and Towers, Best Western The island hotel and Elion House Hotel, all in Lagos, outfits devoted to signature clients, with profitablity returns, incomparable to the noisy neighbors.
Eno Dagwor is also a human resource consultant, capable of sniffing out hidden hospitality talents and deploying same to Organizational growth.
Apart from her core competencies in sales and marketing, networking and strategic business relationship and clients needs evaluation, this hospitality Amazon from Akwa ibom state, married to a Plateau indigene, had trainings in Performance Management and Evaluation for Competitive Advantage, Human Resource Management Practice and Customer service Relations.
She told me, her CRISPAN hotel, is positioned in Jos as the destination and hospitality statement, adding, that clients requests and needs are top priority. ” We are not trained to turn down requests from our clients, but to meet it with smiles on our faces. Here at CRISPAN hotel everything is possible’
Eno Dagwor no doubt is an aggressive relationship power horse, a multi task force, determined to deploy the gift to change the narratives of hospitality business in the Plateau. Again,CRISPAN hotel she disclosed is the hotel to beat!! No other, no other, she muttered, flipping through the day’s occupancy brief.
Though many people express worries about the pockets of security challenges in the tourism Capital city of Jos, Mrs Eno Dagwor believes these challenges do not define the future of hospitality growth in the Center point of North Central location of the Plateau.
” We are not living in denial to these challenges, and for us at CRISPAN, tomorrow is the future and we are here to install hope and faith, for the future of a peaceful Plateau and a tourism hospitality destination yet to be fully exploited and made manifest.'” she explained to me amidst flurry of phone calls from clients and staff, a strong indication of her resourcefulness and manifest competence.
So what is the future of CRISPAN hotel?” We shall take it once at a time, from Jos, we can have a CRISPAN hospitality brand all the country, it is a possibility but we want Nigerians and foreigners to come validate this dream hospitality presence never seen anywhere around”
Writers across Nigeria, under the auspices of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), have united in commemorating the 94th posthumous birthday of one of Africa’s greatest literary icons, Prof. Chinua Achebe. Achebe, renowned globally for his groundbreaking novel *Things Fall Apart*, remains an enduring symbol of literary excellence and cultural preservation.
In a statement issued by Wole Adedoyin, the President of SYNW emphasized Achebe’s unmatched contributions to African literature and his role as a beacon of inspiration for writers across generations. Adedoyin highlighted the Society’s unwavering commitment to honoring Achebe’s legacy through creative and impactful initiatives.
One of the key tributes mentioned is the *Chinua Achebe Annual Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture*, initiated by the Anambra Chapter Coordinator of SYNW, Izunna Okafor. Now in its 9th edition, the festival has become a significant platform for celebrating Achebe’s works and discussing his influence on modern African literature.
Cynthia Maduekwe, the President of the Nigeria Society of Campus Writers, also spearheaded the *Writers Tour*, another initiative aimed at engaging young writers with Achebe’s literary philosophy. This tour exposes aspiring authors to Achebe’s timeless themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and societal transformation, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) reaffirmed its dedication to Achebe’s memory through these longstanding programs. Writers across the country were encouraged to reflect on Achebe’s life and works, sharing tributes and essays on social media platforms to further propagate his vision of storytelling.
Adedoyin lauded the efforts of writers like Okafor and Maduekwe, whose initiatives keep Achebe’s legacy alive.
He also urged literary organizations and institutions to continue collaborating to sustain Achebe’s impact on African literature and culture.
“Prof. Achebe’s work transcends literature. He gave Africans a voice on the global stage, presenting our stories with authenticity and pride. Celebrating his 94th posthumous birthday is a reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping society,” Adedoyin stated.
The SYNW also used the opportunity to announce plans for a series of upcoming events dedicated to Achebe in the coming year, including essay competitions, poetry readings, and book discussions. These programs aim to further Achebe’s vision of nurturing literary talent and promoting African narratives.
As the literary community celebrates Achebe’s life and achievements, his timeless words resonate: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
Achebe’s legacy continues to inspire writers to tell their own stories, preserving the richness of African culture for generations to come.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers concluded by inviting literary enthusiasts to join in celebrating Achebe’s enduring impact, emphasizing that his legacy is a shared treasure for all who value the power of words.
Personality in Focus
UBA Appoints Henrietta Ugboh Independent Non-Executive Director As Owanari Duke Retires from Group Board
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
The appointment has been approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria.
UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, CFR commenting on the appointment, said, “Henrietta Ugboh brings a track record of professional success, integrity and leadership, which will further strengthen the UBA Group Board, underlining once again the Group’s commitment to robust corporate governance.”
Ugboh holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, an MBA from ESUT Business School, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Management Program. She has over 30 years experience in banking with Citibank and is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).
Elumelu added that with her considerable experience and expertise, which includes commercial banking, credit, and risk management, the UBA Board is delighted to welcome Mrs Ugboh to the Group Board, “We look forward to her invaluable contribution to the Group, as we continue to execute our unique growth strategy across Africa and globally.”
The Board also announced the retirement of Mrs. Owanari Duke, an Independent Non-Executive Director, who joined the UBA Group Board in October 2012.
During her tenure, Mrs. Duke provided distinguished leadership, serving on Committees of the Bank including the Board Governance Committee, Board Audit, Governance, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Board Credit Committee, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Statutory Audit Committee.
On behalf of the board, Mr. Elumelu expressed UBA’s deep appreciation to Mrs. Duke for her dedication and significant contributions to the Group, wishing her the best in her future endeavour.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and related banking services.
Personality in Focus
Tinubu Hails FirstBank’s Immediately Past CEO, Adeduntan on Exceptional Service
By Eric Elezuo
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has congratulated the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan as the bank holds a splendid Sendforth party on his behalf for a meritorious service.
The president’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The statement reads in full:
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES DR ADEDUNTAN, AS FIRST BANK CELEBRATES EX-GROUP CEO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the retired Group Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Nigeria Limited, for his exceptional service at Nigeria’s oldest bank.
In celebration of Adeduntan’s remarkable tenure, the 130-year-old First Bank will host a special send-off ceremony this weekend, expressing gratitude for his contributions over the past nine years.
President Tinubu commends him for steering the bank through transformative growth, which includes expanding customer accounts from 10 million to over 42 million and elevating Profit Before Tax from N10 billion in 2015 to an impressive N300 billion in 2023.
These milestones, the President said, reflected Adeduntan’s visionary leadership and commitment to excellence.
The President expresses his appreciation for Adeduntan’s willingness to serve the nation in various pivotal roles, including his contributions to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and other prominent institutions. His extensive expertise in the financial sector has significantly bolstered Nigeria’s economic landscape.
President Tinubu also lauds the bank’s solid internal management ethos, which is responsible for the seamless transition from Adeduntan to the current CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu.
President Tinubu wishes Dr Adeduntan continued success in all his future endeavours.
