By Izunna Okafor, Awka
As part of its efforts to strengthen security within the hospitality sector, the Anambra State government has organized a crucial one-day interactive summit, where it also called on hotel owners and other stakeholders to complement the ongoing war against crimes by fully implementing the provisions of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
Themed “Addressing Security Issues in Hotels and the Hospitality Industry” and organized by the State Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism in collaboration with the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, the Ministry of Homeland Affairs, and the State Security Network, the summit, which held over the weekend in Awka, brought together top government functionaries, hoteliers and key figures in the state’s tourism and hospitality industry, as well as representatives from various security agencies.
Addressing the participants, the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, highlighted the importance of the new law, stressing that its full implementation was non-negotiable. Recounting the efforts made and successes so far recorded by the government in the war against insecurity, he reminded hoteliers that their establishments play a critical role in the state’s security architecture and that any delay in complying with the law could have dire consequences.
He explained that the law was necessitated by prevailing security challenges and was designed to ensure that hotels and hospitality outfits operate in a manner that prioritizes safety. According to him, effective security measures within hotels would not only safeguard lives and property but also boost tourism and investment in the state. He further urged hotel owners to take ownership of the process by embracing digitalization, surveillance technology, and guest profiling as required by the law.
Earlier in his address of welcome at the occasion, the State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, explained that the interactive summit was aimed at sensitizing stakeholders and ensuring their understanding of the provisions of the law. He noted that compliance was key to curbing insecurity and that the hospitality industry must align with the government’s broader vision for a safer Anambra.
He emphasized that the initiative was not to impose undue burdens on hoteliers but to create an environment where business and security could thrive simultaneously. While explaining that the state government had already put mechanisms in place to support the digitalization of the sector, he urged hotel owners to leverage the opportunity to enhance their operations and also carry out regular checks on their facilities. He also revealed the government’s intention to organized training for staff of hotels across the state after working out the modalities.
Commissioner Onyenji further revealed that the government was working on a framework that would allow seamless data collection and monitoring of hotel activities to improve security.
“We are digitalizing all hotel operations to ensure real-time monitoring and profiling of guests. This will enhance security and create a safer business environment for both operators and customers,” he stated.
While commending the hoteliers for their contributions to the state’s economic growth, the Commissioner urged them to always operate within the provisions of the law.
On his own part, the State Commissioner for Industry, Dr. Christian Udechukwu, highlighted the positive impact of Governor Soludo’s administration on the hospitality sector, noting that recent government initiatives had increased the value and patronage of hotels and other landed property in the state. He urged hotel owners to reciprocate by supporting security measures that would safeguard both their businesses and the public.
Contributing, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, reminded the participants that the Homeland Security Law provides that any property linked to criminal activities, including kidnapping, would be forfeited to the government. He urged them to take the law seriously and ensure that all guests were properly profiled and documented.
Earlier speaking, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue Service (AiRS), Dr. Greg Ezeilo, who gave an overview of the ongoing digitization of revenue collection in the state, also highlighted the financial implications of security breaches in the hospitality industry, warning that establishments found culpable could face serious sanctions. He noted that beyond legal consequences, non-compliant hotels risked losing public trust, which could negatively impact their patronage and revenue.
Also lending his voice, the National President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Barr. Titus Akpudo, represented by his Vice, Hon. Dr. Ik Oforkansi, acknowledged that every hotel is located within a community, making it imperative for operators to work closely with local authorities. He charged hotel owners to always record and make data of all their customers available to the President-General (PG) of the host community via email, who will, in turn, convey same to the Local Government Mayor for effective security monitoring.
Responding, the State Chairman of the Hotel Owners Association of Nigeria, Chief Ifeanyi Nwokoye, represented by his Vice, Mr. Taiwo Olajide Ogunsola, assured the government of the association’s willingness to collaborate in enhancing security. He, however, appealed to the state government to address the challenges of multiple taxation and poor electricity supply, which he said were negatively impacting the hospitality sector, of while also appealing for subsidization of petroleum products for hoteliers.
Other speakers at the event, including representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), emphasized the need for hotels to implement strict security protocols. They called in hoteliers to conduct routine security checks and proper guest documentation to curb criminal activities to enhance safety within their facilities.
While charging every hotelier to install effective CCTV cameras and functional surveillance systems on their facilities; they also charged hotel owners to place anti-drug warning signposts on their premises, stressing that hospitality establishments must not be used as safe havens for drug-related crimes.
Among other guests, the event also attracted veteran Nollywood star and Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Entertainment, Leisure, and Tourism, Hon. Dr. Bob-Manuel Udokwu.
More photos from the event:
