By Olufemi Adedayo
The awaited official opening ceremony of Wingate Exotic Hotel, a super rendezvous in Ilorin, Kwara State, took place recently amidst pomp and pageantry.
Located at KM 10, University of Ilorin Road, Tanke Ajanaku, the event, which took place on Saturday, 4th April, 2026, dubbed the “Dive (Sip & Splash) Party,” featured live music and performances. The hotel offers luxury amenities, including a swimming pool, restaurant, and currently 32 guest rooms.
The event which started at exactly 12pm was declared open by His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwahaab Olukayode Oyedotun, the Orangun of Ila-Orangun marking a significant milestone in Kwara’s hospitality development.
Amidst cheers from dignitaries and other invited guests, Oba Oyedotun, accompanied by the Executive Chairman of the hotel, Engr. Kolawole Akinyemi, performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the main gate of the hotel to signal the official opening of the state-of-the-art facility and unveiling of a new dawn.
Important dignitaries present included Alh. Razaaq and Alhaja Raliat Kolawole Taiwo, the parents of the Executive Chairman; Barrister Rasheed Kolawole Taiwo, Board of Directors member, and brother of the Chairman; other Board of Directors including Prof. Tunde Ajiboye, Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom, Chief Raheem Adedoyin, Alh. Bayo Ajiboye, Alh. Aminu Kayode, Mr. Musbau Oyeniyi, Mrs. Atinuke Kolawole, the wife of the Chairman.
Also present were Hon. Commissioner for Communication, Mrs. Bola Olukoju, Hon. Tunde Doherty, Chairman, APC United Kingdom, America-based Community Leader, Prince Azeez Abolarin, top banker Prince Razaq Abolarin, the General Manager of The Herald Newspapers, Mr. Yomi Adeboye, City entrepreneur, Prince Victor Kolade, popular broadcaster, Alh. Dan Kazeem, Akinlolu Abayomi, Prof. Ameen Oladunjoye, Head of Department, Computer Science, University of Ilorin and Mr. Ope Saraki.
Also present were entire team of Kolawole Taiwo dynasty, representatives of Corporate Customers’ Service, the team from Kwara State government and Members of the Press.
The General Manager of the new hotel, Mrs. Bello Halimat, described the official ceremony as celebration of a remarkable milestone
She expressed her deepest appreciation to the Chairman, Engr. Akinyemi Kolawole and his wonderful wife, Mrs. Atinuke Kolawole for there support, guidance and patience.
She described the Chairman as an exemplary leader while acknowledging that her management team had been leveraging on the Board of Directors for guidance over the years.
With the atmosphere in the grand hall remaining formal, the chairman, a veteran in Information Technology and well known for his corporate acumen made the most of the positive vibe to deliver his speech
He dazed the audience after adjusting the microphone with his voice booming slightly through the speakers when he said ” Ekun ooo! Gbogbo Ila! Mo wi ekun ooo! Ajagun nla, ajamo gbesi e gbe a ooo” ; a familiar greeting usually from an elder, expressed in his local dialect twice which received a thunderous applause from the audience.
The chairman showered immense encomium on the General Manager of the hotel, Mrs. Bello Halimat whom he characterized as a genius, an outstanding performer, and a woman of good virtues who “is highly intelligent.”
He appreciated His Excellency, the esteemed Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, CON, the Royal fathers and all distinguished guests who honoured his invitation
The chairman publicly and profoundly acknowledged the support of hus senior brother Alh. Barrister Rasheed Kolawole Taiwo for setting his feet on the right path. He recalled that in 2014 when he purchased the land on which the hotel is built, he called Alh. Ajibade Adebayo, a bossom friend and said “I have a dream”
According to him, this “I have a dream” repetitive phrase is an approximation of the popular Martin Luther King’s aphorism, which in his personal scenario has translated from being an abstract concept into a reality, courtesy of genuine commitment and supervisory role of Alh. Ajibade Adebayo who worked day and night to bring this project to fruition, and for that will remain grateful to him
In his nostalgic recollection, Wingate Exotic Hotel was born out desire to bridge the gap in the hospitality industry within Ilorin and its environs, and having traveled widely and gained valuable exposure, he said he was inspired to bring international standards closer home right here in Ilorin while complementing the already vibrant hospitality landscape. It was that vision that gave birth to Wingate
Dr. Johnson Adewunmi in his goodwill message congratulated the parents of the chairman for raising a son who is a pride to everyone; a very diligent, very decent and focused individual. According to him, Engr. Kolawole is well known to him. He described him as a very enterprising person and highly cerebra. The Chancellor of a revered institution said he cannot forget in a hurry those cravings he shared with him, his aspiration and determination to come back home and what to do when he eventually relocates. He testified it was his continuous engagement in a constructive manner, consultations, rational thought and reflective thinking that gave birth to Wingate Exotic Hotel
He extended appreciation to Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom, Chief Raheem Adedoyin who made his presence on the appointed day possible.
The Commissioner for Communication, Kwara State, Mrs Bola Olukoju, expressed her happiness for being part of the memorable occasion. She contended that running hospitality business in Nigeria today is not a small deal and anybody who has embarked on any, should be commended, especially in Kwara where she resides and sits on communication sector, also arts and culture of the state.
“I’m happy to be part of Wingate. I personally have seen the work that have been done here and I’m quite impressed and I want to urge each and every one of us not to just come for this grand occasion, but to also have Wingate on on your lips and encourage friends and colleagues to patronize Wingate to make it a successful venture”
“Wingate is here to stay. Let’s felicitate with the leadership of the hotel and we would always have reasons to celebrate with one another
The Orangun of Ila, Oba Oyedotun expressed his gratitude to God for this great blessing bestowed upon the entrepreneur, Abdulrazaq Kolawole Taiwo. He prayed for the entire family that God in His infinite mercies continue to guide them, strengthen them, grant them wisdom and grace
Still in the spirit of royalty and that took the occasion to the next goodwill message which was handled by the Chairperson of the occasion himself, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Moses Ayodele Adewuyi. He thanked God that everyone present witnessed the day.
He said it would be delightful to have an initiative of this character in their local community following which he made a supplication to the Divine for strength to make it manifest.
In his own delivery, Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom, Alh. Raheem said he was pleased to see such state-of-the-art facility as Wingate Exotic birthed in Kwara.
“Being someone who is widely traveled, I know when I see a topnotch facility. This is one and I’m so proud of it. It I’d not a place you will hesitate to recommend to anyone looking, comfort, class and quality service”
He appealed to friends, colleagues and well-wishers present to see the facility as their project, stressing that the chairman is imbued with good character, humble and focused.
