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Editorial

Hospitality Legend, Olivier Louis, Awarded “Best Hotelier” in Worldwide Awards

Published

7 years ago

November 24, 2016

Sahara Weekly

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On 15 November 2016, at a magnificent event held in Paris, Olivier Louis, Managing Director of One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm in Dubai, was presented with the ‘Best Hotelier’ award at the 2016 Worldwide Hospitality Awards. The Hospitality Awards is in its 17^th year and allows for members of the global hospitality industry to showcase their achievements in a number of categories. The ‘Best Hotelier’ is awarded based on: business performance, managerial capability, involvement in community life/human resources skills, professional recognition by peers, and implication in the local community.

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Olivier Louis has been associated with Kerzner International since 1995, starting in Mauritius and then in 1998, he moved to Dubai to prepare and guide the opening of The Palace at One&Only Royal Mirage. Olivier has been an integral part of the resort’s growth into three distinctive properties including the Arabian Court that opened in 2002 and The Residence & Spa in 2003. As Managing Director of the One&Only resorts in Dubai, he also played a leading role in the development, design, and strategy of One&Only The Palm, which opened in 2010.

“One of my greatest achievements is being the Managing Director of the two most stylish beach resorts in Dubai. Both One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm are so distinct with a great sense of place, and reflect the ideals set by One&Only as a brand. I am so proud to lead such an incredible team that delivers exceptional experiences for our clientele every day,” commented Olivier Louis, Managing Director of One&Only The Palm and One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai. “Being part of One&Only Resorts means that we ensure that we consistently work towards surprising and delighting our guests and continue to innovate. I am very proud to receive this great honour of ‘Best Hotelier’, and it is not just a reflection on me, but most importantly, for the amazing dedication and commitment of my entire team and for our Dubai owner’s unconditional support over the years.”

Olivier Louis’ career spans 40 years of impressive hospitality management positions and reads like a world tour, from locations like his native Paris, France to Houston, Texas; New York; Newport Beach, California; London, UK; Phuket, Thailand; Nassau in The Bahamas and prior to Dubai, three years in Mauritius with Kerzner International.

Managing over 1,400 team members across both resorts, Olivier Louis sees himself as more of a ‘coach’ in his leadership style– and sees each team member as a student that he has the opportunity to guide. “I have a very hands-on approach to managing and training. Every year, we have a number of young team members whose unique talent complement and contribute towards the ever-increasing and improving product and service level,” says Olivier Louis. “One of my personal goals is to ensure that over the next few years I can transfer my years of acquired hospitality knowledge to each team member – whether they be Directors, Waiters, Chefs, or Rooms Valets.”

“Both One&Only resorts in Dubai have received a number of prestigious awards over the years, most recently One&Only Royal Mirage was awarded number one Resort in the Middle East byCondé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. This award and the many others can be attributed to the leadership and guidance of Olivier,” commented Philippe Zuber, President and Chief Operating Officer of One&Only Resorts. “We are incredibly proud of his great achievement of receiving the ‘Best Hotelier’ award. Not only does Olivier manage both resorts at the highest level and ensure that the resorts’ discerning and repeat guests are continuously blown away, but on the global level, we often look to Olivier for his suggestions and recommendations. He has been an inherent part of the brand and is a true ambassador.”

“I am so proud that Kerzner International has three hotels in the top 10 for Trip Advisor rankings. This is a true reflection of our incredible team, led by such amazing leaders like Olivier Louis,” commented Jean-Gabriel Peres, President and CEO, Kerzner International. “I have been fortunate enough to know Olivier for over 25 years and I am thrilled he has been recognized for his leadership and contribution to the industry. He is the epitome of the One&Only ethos.”

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Editorial

NGIJ Commences Governance Assessment Tour In Ondo State

Published

4 years ago

December 2, 2019

Sahara Weekly

The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) will on Monday commence Governance Assessment Tour in Ondo State to assess impact of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration on the people.

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A statement issued on Saturday by the Guild Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Obadimu said NGIJ delegation would arrive Akure, the Ondo State Capital on Monday to commence the Governance Assessment.

Obadimu noted that the Governance Assessment aimed at rooting for the truth, getting firsthand information from different stakeholders and assessing impact of current administration in Ondo State.

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”Our members from every part of the country will on Monday converge in Akure, Ondo State Capital for commencement of Governance Assessment Tour to assess Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration impact on the people.

”Our crew will engage critical stakeholders including traditional rulers, civil servants, labour unions, pensioners, top government officials, students, market men/women and others in order to get firsthand information about the current administration led by Governor Akeredolu.”

Obadimu disclosed that the guild has carried our similar assessment in Kogi and Bayelsa states, saying ‘this is part of our contributions to deepen Democratic rule in Nigeria’.

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Business

Heritage bank partners with Multi choice to flag off BBN third edition

Published

6 years ago

February 5, 2018

Sahara Weekly

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Sequel to successful outing of season-2 of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) last year, Heritage Bank Plc, has again partnered with MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, owners of the DSTV and GOTV brands to bring the third season of the entertainment to viewers across Africa and beyond.

The Big Brother Naija 2018 was launched on Sunday night with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu as the host with 20 house mates battling for the winning prize of N45 million which include a cash gift of N25 million and SUV Jeep among others. The theme of this year’s edition is “Double Wahala.”

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The host said one of the innovations in this season was that viewers could give housemates secret tasks to do and some lucky viewers could win cash prizes of N1 million during the duration of the show.

The house mates will stay at the Big Brother House for the next 85 days to entertain viewers and the show promises to show case a lot of drama, intrigues and romance.

Speaking at the live streaming of the opening session in Lagos at the weekend, Mr. Fela Ibidapo, Group Head, Corporate Communications of Heritage Bank said, “When the last season of the reality show was about to start, some of us did know what we were getting into. We are back here again because last year was successful.’’

He said Heritage Bank believed in creativity and innovation and expressed appreciation to MultiChoice for the opportunity to be part of this edition of the show.

About 20 house mates were invited to the house in the third season of the show which began last Sunday night, with four of them debuting in a reality show for the first time in their lives.

This is an increase over 12 that participated in last year’s edition.

The new comers are Nina Chinoso 21 years- old, Vanessa Williams aka Vandora from Edo State, Teddy A 29 and Kelvin Burle aka K-Brule 23 years-old.

The others are Alexandria (a lady) 22, Adedayo Adewunmi aka Dee-One, a comedian; Princess Onyejekwe 25, Miracle Igbekwe, a pilot and model; Ahneeka 25 years and a TV presenter; Rico Savey,25; Bam Bam,28 years-old freelancer in acting and singing; Bitto Brain 26, Ifu Ennanda, an actress and business broker; Leo 25 years-old corporate hustler with a retail firm; Khloe 24 and a fashion designer; Angela 31 years-old film maker, Anto, Tobi- 23, Cee-C and Omololu Adetokunbo aka Lolu.

In the season two of the show, besides providing financial assistance to the BB Naija contenders, Heritage Bank helped them with business and advisory support services for between six to nine months.

This support helped to chart a veritable course and equip the housemates with the necessary tools to make informed business choices during their individuals’ careers.

In a bid to bring additional value to Nigerian culture, Heritage Bank also ensures that in partnering with the housemates, they take positive steps towards creating, preserving and transferring wealth to Nigerians.

Heritage Bank had also organised an SME enhancement capacity programme for the Ex-Housemates of the BB Naija and other emerging 21st century entrepreneurs at an SME enhancement capacity training programme.

Big Brother Nigeria was designed by its creators to attract controversies and create agenda for social discussions.

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Business

How civil defence corps became a millionaire overnight with Skye bank Promo

Published

6 years ago

February 4, 2018

Sahara Weekly

Mrs Eunice Odubor, a 48- year old staff of the Civil Defence Corps, yesterday won the 4th edition of the season 2 reach for the Skye millionaire reward.

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Forty other lucky loyal customers across Nigeria also went home with various cash gifts ranging between N20, 000, N50, 000 and N100, 000 respectively.
The cash bonanza and draw which took place at the busy Ekiosa market in Benin City, the Edo State Capital, had in attendance top management staff and Zonal officers of National lottery Commission which witnessed the occasion.
Presenting the cheque to Mrs Isibor, at the resident of the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom, Chief Osaro Idah, the group head Product and Innovation of the bank, Ndubisi Osakwe, said the presentation was a clear demonstration of Skye Bank’s commitment to continue to impact the lives of loyal customers.
He said: “Today Skye Bank has shown its capacity in supporting individuals and retail businesses. We started this journey a couple of months back…now in its 3rd year and this is the fourth in the series.
“We have given given rewards to customers who are loyal to Skye Bank, who have responded to our promo to put N10, 000 for 30 days in savings account and they will qualify to win up to N1m. Mrs Idubor of Foresty branch Benin who has been loyal invested N10, 000 and has won N1m and her account will be credited”
In his remark, Chief Osaro Idah, who presented the cheque to the winner commended the bank for blazing the trail in corporate social responsibility among banks.
Elated Mrs Idubor, who could not hold back tears expressed her gratitude to Skye Bank for the money and promised to tell others to bank with Skye Bank.
She said part of the amount will be invested into the education of her child who had dropped out of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma due to paucity of funds.
The Zonal Coordinator, National Lottery Commission, Mrs Kate Okocha, also commended the bank for the transparency and encouraging people to save by opening account.

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