By Ingram Osigwe
It was a gathering of class and glamour on Saturday, October 17th, 2020 when the upscale Event facility, Panda Event Complex Ltd formally threw its doors open to the public.
Panda Event Complex Ltd, the brain child of Chief Willy Obi (Agbarusia Ngele Akokwa). It is located at plot 112 commercial Avenue, Oyadiran estate, Sabo Yaba and ringed by Adekunle, Alagomeji, Yaba, third mainland bridge, Jibowu, Oyingbo, Herbert Macaulay, commercial avenue and Sabo police station.
Last Saturday, Chief Obi and his delectable wife, Lolo Ebele Obi (Mmasinachi) were the cynosure of all eyes as they, resplendent in their traditional attires, moved round to personally welcome and greet invited guests.
Chief (Hon) Jude Idimogu, the only Igbo person in the Lagos House of Assembly was billed to chair the event but was caught up in a massive gridlock occasioned by the #Endsars protest in Lagos.
However, Ichie Dikenuokam Nkem Okiche was on hand to fill the vacuum and he masterly and superbly gave account of himself.
The event had the Chairman of Orange Group, Chief (Dr) Sir Tony Ezenna, OFR as Chief Guest of honour, who also cut the tape to signal the formal opening of the magnificent edifice.
Ezenna who holds the traditional title of Ijele Akokwa, effusively prayed for the success of the company and also for the safety of all guests.
For citing the complex in his domain with the added advantage of boosting commerce and creating employment in the area, the Chairman of Yaba Local Government Area, Hon. Kayode Omiyale, promised to give Panda two years of Tax holiday and other incentives.
Guests at the event, praised Chief Obi for his foresight in establishing a world class leisure and business facility such as Panda, saying he has revolutionized leisure, business and event hosting in Nigeria.
Panda Event complex is the first ever event centre in Nigeria where Churches and reception halls, hotel accommodations as well as bars are located in one zone.
Apart from event halls, the complex also houses an expansive, well ordered parking lot and shopping centres among others.
Notedly, there is a large parking space to accommodate vehicles of different sizes, stores to accommodate various businesses, two halls for 1000 guests and 400 guests sitting.
There is also a hotel consisting of 42 rooms (studio, standard, deluxe rooms, suite & executive suite) as well as outdoor and indoor restaurant, Executive bar and outdoor bar.
Banks and ATM points in the many banks adjacent the complex allow for quick banking transactions. This is complemented by the plethora of banks in Commercial Avenue, Sabo.
The idea of an Event complex as opposed to an Event centre, according to Panda Management, is to eliminate stress and anxiety which event organisers and guests often encounter, especially in Lagos due to logistics and traffic related factors.
Users of the complex are assured of adequate security and health safety with deployment of automatic hand sanitizers in strategic points.
Well trained security personnel are also stationed in various locations in the complex in addition to digital security apparatus, including CCTV cameras.
This is in addition to sharing neighborhood with Army and po
A round-the clock power supply to the Complex ensures uninterrupted comfort.
Guests were treated to sumptuous delicacies and drinks as there were enough to drink and dine for all on the day.
ROLL CALL
High flyers who graced the official opening of Panda Complex Ltd, include Ijele Akokwa, Chief Tony Ezenna, OFR, Hon. Kayode Omiyale, Chief Ben Amuta (Onowu Umudioka) Sir Ken Okafor, (0welle Ichida) Chief Demo Amaefuna (Akubudike,)Chief Vincent Mgbemena(Ugonna Akokwa) Chief J O Uzuh ( Omeiheukwu Unubi) Chief Akaekpuchionwa Nawfia ,Chief Okiche ( Dike Unaku of Unubi) ,Chief Azubike Umunna (Nwachinemelu) Chief Ochendo Aguluzigbo,Chief Israel Orjiekwe(Akuzurumba), Chief Cletus Chukwu (Kent),Chief Ralph Obi( Akuilili Awka-Etiti) Mr. Amaechi Okpara, Hon Oderaa Onwudiwe( Ugodinobi), Chief Odinnanwa( Ocean Wave), Chief Uchenna Nkana( Nkana Cash) Chief Stephenson Mbajekwe, Barr( Pharm) Steve Okonkwo,(Ugwumba), Chief Luke Okeke(Nwachinemelu), Chief Easy Emesofor (Akajiugo), Chief Dona Akachukwu (Akajiugo Nnewi) Chief Uche Offor( Ugochinyereze), Chief and High Chief Don Abuachi(JP), Sir Engineer Nebeolisa, Prince Chibuike Aluchuru( Oke Ikpo, Chief Obinna Ashara( ObiPaki) Engineer Chimezie, Chief Ik Azugo ( Okenwa Nnobi) Chief Akujiobi, Chief Signal Izuagba, Ichie Boniface Uzuh(Ezeudemba Unubi), Chief Ugochukwu Emebo(Ugotec) Chief Ernest Ugochukwu(Nwatakwochaa), Chief Collins Ejeckam, Chief Akajiugo Ntueke, Chief Kene Anolue(Igiligi Alor), Chief Charles Udochukwu(Ikukuoma), Lady Hope, Elojones, Prince Dondee, Chief Egonku Ndubuisi, Chief Collins Ekwebelem(Nwachinamaraoji), Chief Omenife Oraukwu, Chief Emeka Ikeabuotu(Akukwesili Nnobi), Chief Peter Obi (Ezeobinwa), Chief Ezeamanyanneya Oraukwu, Chief Ubani, Mrs Mulikat Kolawale.
There were also Chief Obinna(Ezeokwelume), Chief Ifeanyi Okafor(Ifemelumma), Chief Ohamadike Nnewi, Chief Okpuruisi Izuogu, Nwa Jesus na Akokwa, Mr Musa Mbitahson, Hallmark Movie Chairman, Igbudu Alor, Chief Sunday Ebelebe(Omenyiri Akokwa), Dr Mike Izuogu(Ugwudinanwa), Dr Charles Iweanya, Chief Emeka Ufo (Nkwachukwukwere Nnokwa) and Chief Emeka Emechebe(Amaraeriaku of Akokwa, Mr. Ugochukwu Obi, Mr. Uche Azifuaku, Chief Nonso Abatete, Allman Communication, Ogechukwu Obi and Ebuka Nwosu(Ikoro). Diamond Club members among many others.
