Oyo Rep Ibarapakan Attends HMC 2024, Praises Olugbenga’s Hard Work and Dedication to Hospitality in Africa*

Member representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, politically known as Ibarapakan, has attended the Hotel Managers Conference (HMC) Africa 2024.

The event, which is scheduled to span two days, started on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the popular Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

The Hotel Managers Conference & Awards is a capacity-building initiative for hotel managers in Africa for skills upgrade, networking and hotel job opportunities.

The HMC Africa 2024 is themed Innovative Strategies: Nurturing Resilience and Excellence in Guest Experience in African Hospitality.

Delivering his keynote speech at the event, which had in attendance hotel entrepreneurs from different black nations of the world, Hon. Adepoju said it was an honour for him to be a part of the conference.

The lawmaker described Mr. Sunday as a very hardworking and consequential constituent, praising the hospitality guru for what he is doing in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“It is an honour to be here today with great people who are doing well in their chosen careers. Mr. Olugbenga is an amazing constituent; he is very hardworking, and we are so proud of what he is doing,” Ibarapakan said.

Responding to the hiring and firing perspective of one of the guest speakers at the event, Ibarapakan recounted his over two decades of business and academia leadership experience in the United States of America. He said some individuals believe in giving people a first, second, and third chance. “These chances, however compassionate, may not be the best for the hospitality business since the customer experience/word-of-mouth advertisement is extremely vital to the growth of any business; maintaining a hiring approach that complements the personality trait deficiencies is crucial to success,” Hon. Adepoju noted.

He urged hoteliers and business owners to be truthful to themselves and think beyond their biases by hiring competent individuals to avoid hiring and firing due to a lack of due diligence in the recruitment process.

Appreciating Hon. Adepoju for attending the event despite his tight schedule, Mr. Sunday said it would be the first time that an honourable member representing his constituency would leave Abuja and look for him where he is.

He said that the lawmaker’s approach to governance will go a long way in motivating his constituents in their different career paths, knowing that their representative will always support them and provide a sense of belonging when needed.

Hassan Adesodi Olaoniye
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju
July 13, 2024