Travel/Tourism
Organisers Assure Residents Memorable Enugu Christmas Fest
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Residents of Enugu State and fun-seekers across the globe have been assured a memorable Enugu Christmas Festival slated for December 7 to 31, 2024.
“We are ready to deliver a unique blend of world-class entertainment and culture. We are bringing the Brazilian Carnival to Enugu State,” the Project Coordinator for the Enugu Christmas Festival, Hari Ebelechukwu Ebinum, stated.
Business Post gathered that the Enugu Christmas Festival is being packaged by Omu Resort, a foremost relaxation centre in Lagos.
Over a million persons are expected to partake in the forthcoming event designed to revolutionise the tourism industry of the southeastern region of Nigeria.
“Enugu State used to be the first in many things. Several good things associated with the people of Enugu State have almost been forgotten and we are returning the treasures.
“We will bring back the legendary Atilogu dancers, highlife music, and many more. We have put all of these things in place, we are still doing more in readiness for the event,” Ebinum assured.
“Our artists are already confirming their attendance at the event. Some of the big names we are expecting are already excited, so we are almost good to go. We are expecting nothing less than a mega show, a one-of-a-kind event,” the Project Coordinator added.
Also speaking, another member of the Enugu Christmas Festival planning committee, Emmanuella Osakwe, noted that all venues for the event had been confirmed, adding that the musical artists who will perform at the festival have also been booked.
“We have confirmed some of the artists including Prof. Festus Dokubo who is leading a 300-man orchestra.
“For the Afrobeat Night, we have already confirmed some artists. A masterpiece, a 500,000 Christmas lights glowing ball is already being built at the Naira Triangle. So, we are making serious progress and we are ahead of schedule,” Osakwe noted.
The Enugu Christmas Festival will feature events such as African Praise Night, Afrobeat Concerts, Highlife Performances, Food Bazaar, Street Carnivals, Cultural Parades, Festival of Dances, Art Exhibitions, Phone Exhibition, and stunning Fireworks Show.
Others include Enugu Christmas Yadah, Beer and Spirit Festival, and the vibrant Santa Street Storm, where 100 Santas will distribute gifts to orphanages and less-privileged communities.
The prestigious Governor’s Red Ball will cap off the festivities, bringing together investors, business leaders, and political figures for a night of celebration and awards.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
