By Ingram Osigwe
The untimely death of Chief Austin Chukwunonso Okala has opened the floodgate of memories. His painful departure has thrown up the whole gamut of the evolution and growth of the hospitality industry in Akokwa, Ideato North local government area of Imo state.
One of the things Chief Okala will be remembered for is the pivotal role he played in entrenching the hospitality industry in Akokwa. His Igwe Omega Hotel and Suites stands majestically tall today in Akokwa as a bold testament to that.
It was August 2021. And my father’s burial was almost at hand. Guests in their hundreds from all walks of life had indicated interest to join me in giving him a befitting farewell. The ancient kingdom of Akokwa, my home town, was gearing up to play them host. For many of them arriving from outside Imo State, it was going to be their first time in Akokwa.
But then, where to lodge them became a nagging headache for me. Luckily, the headache didn’t nag for long. Of course, the Imperial Golden Chapel, owned by my cousin, readily came to mind. A good number of the guests were lodged there.
However, there were still many more. Which hotel would offer them maximum comfort? It was at this juncture that I remembered an upscale tourism facility, Igwe Omega Hotel and Suites.
I immediately requested for and was availed of his contact. I put a call across to him and pronto, choicest suites and rooms were made available to my remaining guests.
And they later spoke glowingly about the kingly treatment they received. The ambience and the allure of Igwe Omega Hotel and Suites as well as the topnotch services they received became an unending refrain, a sing-song on their lips.
A 50-room facility with an expansive lounge, restaurant, event centre and spacious parking lot, Igwe Omega Hotel is indeed the pride of Akokwa. No wonder my guests could not stop talking about it. Patronized by fun seekers from neighbouring towns like Osina, Uzii, Urualla, Arondizuogu, Obodoukwu, Uga etc., Igwe Omega Hotel and Suites’ lounge and bars are the Akokwa version of Obi Cabana’s Lounge.
The history of the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry in Akokwa will not be complete without mentioning the enviable role played by the likes of Chief Okala who took it upon themselves to open up the town to the hospitality industry.
In the recent past, the nearest Akokwa got to accessing hospitality facilities was the then famous Bolingo Ranch in Obodoukwu. I still remember vividly how, as a young boy growing up, my friends and I would sneak into Obodukwu just to see and feel the aura of Bolingo Ranch.
There was also the Orthon Palace hotel, Ekwulobia, Anambra state and the White Castle Hotel, Neni, also in Anambra state. Infact, Orthon Palace and White Castle served as refuge for most prominent Akokwa indigenes during the period kidnapping was intense in Imo State.
Akokwa, being a border town (it shares boundaries with a number of towns in Aguata local government area of Anambra State) is the second busiest commercial nerve centre in Imo West Senatorial zone after Orlu. However, time was when there was a dearth of hotels in Akokwa forcing people to travel to the neighbouring Anambra communities in search of one.
It was therefore a huge relief when the Hotel De Sun route owned by our Industrious De Ford Arizona came. But there was a snag: The hotel was the proverbial one eyed king in the land of the blind. However, the coming of the likes of Chief Okala with hotels that are comparable to international standards changed the narrative. Apart from Igwe Omega Hotel and Suites, other hotels that came after Hotel De Sunroute include Okpanganga Star Hotel, Great Iroko Hotel and City Spice Hotel.
Chief Okala was not just one of the illustrious sons of Akokwa but one with foresight who helped to put the town on the world’s tourism map. Besides the hospitality industry, Chief Okala was also into pharmaceuticals, he was the CEO of Partone Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Okala was an industrialist of repute.
His unexpected demise on September 27 at the age of 49 leaving behind a young widow with four children tugs at the heart of all those who admire Chief Okala’s industry, his enterprise and his dexterity in not only creating jobs for Akokwa youths but putting the town on global map of tourism and hospitality.
It was indeed with shock and disbelief that I learnt of his death. One cannot fathom why a young man who was full of life would suddenly breathe his last. However, we cannot question God.
It is true that Akokwa has lost a rare gem. It is true that his death hurts. However, while we all mourn his sudden departure, let us at this juncture accept his demise with utmost equanimity like the Christians that we are and pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.
On behalf of my family, I condole with his wife and children and the entire Okala family on this irreparable loss. I pray for God’s abiding grace, faith and guidance for them during this trying period in their lives.
*Chief Ingram Osigwe, the CEO/ MD Fullpage Communications Ltd, wrote in from Umuopia, Akokwa
