Atrocities Committed At Udoka Golden Point Hotel Highlight How Some Hotels Are Becoming Slaughter Slabs (OPINION)
By Isaac Asabor
The word “hospitality” traces its roots to the Latin word “hospes,” referring to both host and guest, and “hospitium,” which signified the relationship between a host and their guest. Historically, it carries the notion of welcome, care, and warmth, with roots deeply embedded in societal practices that aim to provide shelter, food, and comfort for visitors. In the modern world, this idea has evolved into the hospitality industry, encompassing hotels, restaurants, and other services that extend warmth and care to those away from home.
However, recent news from Anambra State in Nigeria has cast a dark shadow over the essence of hospitality. A hotel, once celebrated as a place of comfort, relaxation, and service, has now become the center of a chilling scandal. Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites, also known as La Cruise Hotel, located along Onitsha-Owerri road in Oba, Idemili South, has been demolished after it was uncovered to be a front for kidnappers. The hotel, which once prided itself as a place of service to travelers, is now at the center of a macabre revelation as over 30 partitioned graves, along with a shrine, were discovered on the property.
This shocking discovery brings into sharp focus the moral and ethical dilemma surrounding the use of establishments that are supposed to represent care, service, and safety, but instead are utilized for illicit activities that go against the very essence of hospitality. In fact, this scandal highlights the stark contrast between the original meaning of hospitality and the dark twist it has taken in some places within the industry.
Analyzing this issue from the perspective of the essence of hospitality which has a longstanding tradition, it is germane to opine that hospitality has always been a cherished practice across cultures and societies. From the ancient Greeks, who considered the offering of food and shelter to strangers as a sacred duty, to the more modern interpretations of the word, hospitality remains a fundamental value. It is rooted in kindness, generosity, and respect for others, serving as a bridge between individuals and communities. Whether it is a simple meal or a luxurious stay at a hotel, hospitality aims to make people feel safe, valued, and welcomed.
When we think of hotels, we think of places that offer more than just a bed to sleep in. Hotels have long been symbolic of security and care, offering services that provide comfort and meet the needs of travelers. Whether it is providing a clean room, a warm meal, or simply a safe place to rest, hotels are expected to create an environment that is conducive to relaxation and peace.
The discovery of such heinous activities taking place within Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites represents a grotesque perversion of what a hotel is meant to stand for. The very idea that a place designed to offer shelter and hospitality was being used for illegal activities like kidnapping challenges the foundations upon which the hospitality industry is built.
Without a doubt, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision to demolish Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites sends a clear message that such criminal activities will not be tolerated. The New Media Office of Governor Soludo shared a video of the demolition, accompanied by the statement: “Demolition of kidnappers den disguised as Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites AKA ‘La Cruise Hotel’ along Onitsha-Owerri road. The hotel has well-partitioned graves of over 30 and a shrine!!”
While the demolition of the hotel is seen as an act of justice and an attempt to eliminate a criminal enterprise, it raises important questions about how spaces meant to serve the public are being exploited for nefarious purposes. The fact that such a hotel was able to operate under the guise of hospitality, attracting unsuspecting guests and perhaps even local patrons, speaks to a larger problem within the industry.
It is not just about the criminal elements that were using the hotel for their own purposes. It also raises serious concerns about oversight, regulation, and the responsibility of hotel operators to maintain a safe and welcoming environment. How was it that a business that was supposed to be providing legitimate services became a den for criminals? What checks and balances were in place to prevent this misuse of space?
In a world where hotels are meant to embody the ideals of care, service, and comfort, this hotel’s dark transformation from a haven of rest to a place of horror underscores the necessity of stringent regulation in the hospitality sector. It is not enough for businesses to simply provide beds and meals; they must also be vigilant about the safety of their guests, the integrity of their services, and the ethical standards by which they operate.
Looking at the issue from perspective of the broader implications for the hospitality industry, it is germane to opine that the discovery of such criminal activities within a hotel also has broader implications for the entire hospitality industry in Nigeria and beyond. In an era where trust is a cornerstone of service industries, incidents like this shake the foundation of confidence that customers place in hotels and hospitality providers. When a hotel, an establishment meant to provide sanctuary, becomes a front for kidnapping and other illicit activities, it makes it difficult for the public to distinguish between businesses that genuinely aim to serve their customers and those that exploit the hospitality sector for their own gain.
This also raises questions about the industry’s ability to effectively self-regulate. In many cases, the hospitality industry is often under-regulated, with minimal checks on the establishments that operate within it. For instance, many hotels are licensed by local government authorities, but how effective are these licensing bodies in ensuring that hotels meet certain ethical and safety standards? How thorough are their inspections, and do they look beyond the physical structure of the hotel to ensure that it is not being used for unlawful purposes?
The case of Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites is a stark reminder of the need for greater vigilance and regulation within the hospitality industry. Governments, business owners, and the public all have roles to play in ensuring that hotels and other establishments live up to the true meaning of hospitality. When the values of safety, integrity, and care are compromised, the very essence of hospitality is undermined.
In fact, the uncovering of the atrocities committed at Udoka Golden Point Hotel highlights the urgency of restoring the true meaning of hospitality as being offered in the form of service across hotels in the country.
While the demolition of Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites may have been a necessary step in addressing the criminal activity within it, it is equally important for the hospitality industry to focus on restoring the true meaning of hospitality. The industry must take proactive measures to ensure that its spaces are safe, welcoming, and respectful of the values upon which they were founded. This means stronger Regulation and Oversight, ethical business practices and promoting hospitality as a service.
Put in detail, authorities must implement more stringent regulations and oversight to ensure that hotels operate in accordance with safety and ethical standards, even as regular inspections and checks are necessary to prevent illegal activities from taking place under the guise of hospitality.
In a similar vein, hotel owners must prioritize ethical business practices and take responsibility for the well-being of their guests. This includes ensuring that their establishments are not being exploited for illegal activities and that they are adhering to both local and international laws.
Also in a similar vein, the hospitality industry must work to remind the public of the true meaning of hospitality: care, warmth, and a safe environment. By focusing on the core values of service and integrity, hotels can rebuild trust and restore the industry’s reputation.
In conclusion, the tragic turn of events at Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites underscores a critical point: hospitality, as a concept, should never be tainted by criminality or exploitation. It is essential for the hospitality industry to remember its roots and remain committed to serving the public with the care, respect, and safety that all guests deserve. The demolition of the hotel may have closed a dark chapter, but it is now up to the industry as a whole to ensure that such a scandal never repeats itself.
The tragic incidents involving hotels, once sanctuaries for travelers, have turned darker in recent years. The latest scandal at Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites, also known as La Cruise Hotel, in Anambra State has cast a disturbing shadow on the very essence of hospitality. The discovery of over 30 graves and a shrine on the property, following its demolition for involvement in kidnappings, marks a chilling reminder of how criminality can taint trusted spaces.
This is not the first time Nigeria has witnessed such grotesque revelations. Recall the notorious Otokoto ritual killings in Imo State, where unsuspecting individuals were lured into hotels only to be murdered for sacrificial purposes. Similarly, a postgraduate student was recently killed in a hotel in the Southwest, with disturbing details pointing to an organized crime ring operating under the guise of hospitality. Even more recently, a young woman was found tied up in a hotel room, allegedly by a “yahoo boy” in connection with an internet scam, further tainting the reputation of the industry.
The term “hospitality” is rooted in Latin, signifying care and warmth, but the transformation of some hotels into places of horror, rather than refuge, raises critical questions. Are we witnessing a dark twist in the hospitality industry, or is this just a sign of deep systemic flaws?
Hotels must return to their roots, serving as sanctuaries of care, warmth, and safety. This scandal underscores the urgency of tightening regulations, ensuring ethical practices, and holding hotel owners accountable to the public’s trust. The hospitality industry must strive to rebuild its reputation and uphold the values of service, safety, and respect for all guests.
