Welcome to InterContinental Lagos Hotel This Handbook is designed to help you to settle into your new work environment as soon as possible. The Handbook includes general information about InterContinental Lagos, your benefits, general procedures & the surrounding area of Lagos, Nigeria. For more information, please feel free to ask the Human Resources team any time. Our Hotel – InterContinental Lagos History Of Intercontinental Lagos InterContinental Lagos is located on Victoria Island, in the centre of Lagos, home to major consulates and multinational companies, making it the perfect residence for affluent business and diplomatic travellers. Built on an elevated terrain overlooking Lagos’ port, the hotel offers uninterrupted spectacular views of the Lagos Skyline, ample meeting space and grandiose accommodations. Our restaurants offer an array of delicious dining options from cosmopolitan to Nigerian delicacies. The Hotel is the tallest hotel building in West Africa. It has 23 floors and 352 guest rooms. InterContinental Lagos was launched Sunday 29th September 2013 at Victoria Island, Lagos. The hotel, owned by the Milan Group had its grand opening done by His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Governor of Lagos State and saw celebrities, political persons and much more grace the event. The Governor in his speech commended the promoters of the event for their vision regarding the hotel as a welcome development at a time Nigeria is looking for foreign investments to grow its economy. Speaking on behalf of the owners of InterContinental Lagos, the Chairman of Milan Group, Ramesh Valechha, disclosed that the newly opened first luxury five-star hotel in the history of Nigeria has created 650 direct employments and scores of indirect employment in the hotel value chain. The grand opening event was attended by eminent persons among whom were Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; his predecessor, Chief Joseph Sanusi; Lagos State Commissioners for Commerce and Industry,Sola Oworu; Kayode Opeifa (Transport); Engr. Taofiq Tijani (Energy and Mineral Resources); Group Managing Director of Milan Group, Rajesh Valechha; Executive Director, Milan Group, Vikram Valechha; General Manager, InterContinental Lagos, Didier Coeln; Regional General Manager Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG); Maher Nasr and Regional Director, IHG; Karl Hala, Ali Baba, Omawumi, Yemi Sax and others. Our Hotel – InterContinental Lagos Our Managment Team Executive Office: General Manager: Executive Assistant Manager: Rooms: Director of Rooms: Front Office Manager: Executive Housekeeper: Laundry Manager: F&B: Director of F&B: Assistant F&B Director: Executive Chef: Finance: Director of Finance: Assistant Director of Finance: Human Resources: Director of Human Resources: Assistant Director of Human Resources: Marketing & Sales: Director of Sales& Marketing: Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing: Public Relations Manager: Engineering Director of Engineering: Assistant Director of Engineering: Our Hotel – InterContinental Lagos A UNIQUE EVENT DESERVES A UNIQUE LOCATION The luxurious Conference and Meeting areas at InterContinental Lagos includes Grand African Ball room at 1500 sq. Located on the 3rd floor with extensive pre function areas and 6 various sized meeting rooms, business center and an exclusive boardroom. HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTER • Fully equipped facilities include latest in technology exercise bikes, treadmills, running machines and free weights. The male and female sauna and pool facilities open throughout the day provide the perfect après workout fix. • Health/Fitness Center On-Site • Fitness Centre Type: EXTENSIVE SPA FACILITIES Spa InterContinental evokes tranquility and serenity. The cozy ambience awakes the senses while relaxing mind, body and soul. The spa offers a variety of treatments with natural ingredients that bring you closer to the rejuvenating power of nature Our Hotel – InterContinental Lagos Key Facts Our Hotel is located in the centre of Lagos, home to the majority of foreign consulates and multinational companies, making it the perfect residence for affluent business and diplomatic travellers. The 23 Storey hotel will offer uninterrupted spectacular and immaculate views of Lagos Skyline, overlooking Lagos’ port, the city amongst many other views. Category: Upper upscale Hotel Telephone: 01-2366666 Email: [email protected] Fax no: 01-2366650 Website: www.ihg.com Address: Plot 52 - 54, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Date of Opening: 1st of July, 2013 Total no of rooms: 358 rooms Overview of Nigeria Nigeria like any other country is filled with history and events that has shaped the nation politically, economically and socially. During the 11th century, Nigeria was inhabited by various tribes and groups that were eventually modified to form different kingdoms with rulers. These kingdoms ranged from the north-eastern region of Nigeria (Hausa city-states) to the South-western region of Nigeria (Yoruba city-states), to the southern kingdoms of Benin and the eastern region of the Igbos. In the second half of the 19th century to 20th century, the British colonised Nigeria and took charge until 1st October 1960 when Nigeria gained independence and was later declared a Republic on October 1st 1963. Overview of Nigeria Today, Nigeria is filled with over 250 ethnic groups with different languages, values and customs which make Nigeria a very diverse and unique country. The dominant ethnic groups are Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Fulani. Other ethnic groups include Edo, Urhobo, Ijaw, Igala, Ibibio, Gwari, Kanuri, Ebira, Nupe, Itsekiri, Jukun, Idoma and Tiv. Other minority groups include Kofyar, Pyem, and Goemai Symbols The main national symbol is the country's flag. The flag is divided vertically into three equal parts; the centre section is white, flanked by two green sections. The green of the flag represents agriculture, while the white stands for unity and peace. Other national symbols include the national coat of arms, the national anthem, the National Pledge (similar to the Pledge of Allegiance in the United States), and Nigeria's national motto: Peace and Unity, Strength and Progress. National Coat of Arms National Flag Overview of Nigeria Useful information Time: The local time in Nigeria is GMT +1 hour. Currency: The naira (NGN, ₦) is the official currency of Nigeria. It is divided into 100 kobo. You can check the latest exchange rates here. Electricity: Nigeria’s electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz and round and square three-pin plugs are used in the country. How reliable is the electricity supply? Not very. Most expats have a 5 or 6 KVA petrol generator to cope with the frequent power outages. This will be enough to power your basic appliances such as fridge and air conditioner. Communications: The international outgoing code is 009, followed by the relevant country code (eg 00927 for South Africa), while the country code for Nigeria is +234. GSM 900 and 1800 mobile phone networks cover Lagos, Abuja and some other major towns and Internet cafes can be found in major cities. How good are internet and cell phone services? Mobile phone services are plentiful, cheap and reliable. South African based operator MTN operates the largest cell phone network and offers good value and great coverage. Internet access typically runs off the wireless cell phone network using 3G or similar protocols. Transmission speeds of 300kbps are possible. Be warned though: internet access is very expensive – in the region of US$150 per month Cost of living According to the annual Mercer Cost of Living Survey, Lagos ranks as the 30th most expensive expat city, well behind the top three of Moscow, Tokyo and London. For 90% of the Nigerian population the cost of living is around $1 per day. Therefore, the divide between rich and poor is very pronounced. Cigarettes, petrol and local beer are very cheap, while groceries, rent and any imported goods can be very expensive. Personal staff, such as driver, guard or domestic helper, cost from $150 per month. Utilities are relatively cheap but very unreliable. Rental agreements generally require two years rent as deposit, with a further 10% for other costs. Overview of Nigeria Embassy Contact Details • Nigerian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 986 8400. • Nigeria High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7839 1244. • Nigeria High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 236 0521. • Nigeria High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6282 7411. • Nigeria High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 0805. • Embassy of Nigeria, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 4366. • Nigeria High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6282 7411. Foreign Embassies in Nigeria • United States Embassy, Abuja: +234 (0)9 461 4000. • British High Commission, Abuja: +234 (0)9 413 2010. • Canadian High Commission, Abuja: +234 (0)9 413 9910. • Australian High Commission, Abuja: +234 (0)9 461 2780. • South African High Commission, Abuja: +234 (0)9 462 4200. • Irish Embassy, Abuja: +234 (0)9 462 0611. • New Zealand High Commission, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Nigeria): +44 20 7930 8422. Introduction to Lagos State Lagos is located in the south western part of Nigeria. It has the smallest area in all the Nigerian states; however it is the most populous. There are twenty local governments in Lagos including Alimosho, Ajeromi-ifelodun, Kosofe, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo, Ojo, Ikorodu,