Wabote Inaugurates Genesis Group’s Head Office Complex, Hospitality Academy in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, has inaugurated Genesis Head Office Complex and Hospitality Academy, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Performing the inauguration yesterday, Wabote said the company sets the bar high in every market it serves, with an encouragement to make an indelible impact on the lives they touch.

He said Genesis Group had demonstrated strict compliance in both local and international best practices in safety, quality, and regulatory requirements by being the first indigenous catering firm to be certified as ISO 90001 and ISO 22000 compliant.
Wabote, noted that the company had successfully built an indigenous excellence leadership brand in the entertainment and hospitality industry with diverse interest in restaurants, hotels, industrial catering, cinemas, family entertainment centers, facility management and real estate.
He said thousands of Nigerian service companies were taking up the challenge to grow their outfits and contribute to the development of the Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.

According to the NCDMB’s boss: “We currently have about 11,000 service companies registered in our NOGIC-JQS offering diverse services including engineering, fabrication, procurement, drilling services, logistics, exploration and seismic services, installation and commissioning, inspection and testing, project management, finance and insurance, catering and hospitality, and many others as listed in the Schedule of NOGICD Act (2010).

“We are here today to celebrate the achievement of one of these oil and gas service companies that have shown resilient for decades, and is steadily making its mark in the provision of top-notch services to diverse clientele not only in the oil and gas industry but also to other sector of the economy,” he said.
He added, “Genesis Group is a Nigerian owned conglomerate established in 1991 with its key focus on catering, hospitality, and entertainment. Since its establishment, the Group has provided exceptional customer experience across its strategic business units (SBUs).

“Living on its Vision which is ‘To build a strong indigenous business organisation that has a wide national coverage; to deliver best in class quality products and services through continuous innovation and exceptional customer experiences, while fulfilling its responsibilities to all stakeholders.”
Wabote stressed that the inauguration of the Genesis Group Corporate Head Office complex in Port Harcourt would further enhance the operational efficiency of the enterprise to provide superior service delivery to all its customers, adding that the training Academy to develop key competencies for junior and management staff and for youth empowerment is also a welcome development.

 The Content Board Executive Secretary appreciated the International Oil Companies (IOCs) for their support in the successful implementation of Nigerian Content and encourage them and other oil and gas service providers to remain resolute as they jointly deliver the various aspects of the Nigerian Content journey that they will all be proud of.

Commending the visionary leadership of the Founder and Group Managing Director of Genesis Group, Dr. Nnaeto Orazulike, Wabote said: “The Genesis brand has become renowned throughout the length and breadth of the country and beyond.
“The Group continues to contribute significantly to the growth of the Nigerian oil and gas sector while constantly exceeding her clients’ expectations without compromising on safety, reliability and integrity in all her operations.”
The company’s management had disclosed that since its inception in 1991, they have relentlessly pursued the vision of creating a robust indigenous business organisation with a broad national footprint.

“Today, Genesis stand tall with 30 restaurants across eight states,12 cinemas spanning two countries, seven hotels strategically positioned in the nation, and an impressive feat of serving over 10,000 meals daily, all made possible by the engagement of over 2,500 regular employees,” he added.
The group disclosed that the testament of their unyielding pursuit of excellence was the recent attainment of both Food Safety Management System (FSMS) ISO 22000:2018 and Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015 certifications, saying that the certifications recognise their commitment and validate their adherence to the highest standards of quality, food safety, and customer satisfaction.

In his welcome address, at the event which attracted personalities from IOCs, indigenous investors, government, NCDMB, and others, Orazulike, said their biggest achievement was their investment on human capital development, which according to him had impacted so many lives.
 Commending the NCDMB’s resilience in ensuring the growth in indigenous investment in the country, Orazulike stressed that the agency’s initiatives have not been mere regulations, but have become catalysts for change, propelling the nation and the industry into new realms of prosperity.

 Orazulike, who expressed joy that the company had continued to improve and invest to remain relevant as the world and economy changes, said “Just like the name denotes Genesis is always at the forefront in the hospitality industry, we were the first indigenous company to be ISO 9001 & 22001 certified by the prestigious SGS Swiss certifying authorities.”
He said “We employed over 2500 people, developing the Nigerian economy; we are building restaurants, hotels, cinemas. The other main important thing we are doing and we want to showcase, is training the youth.

“We built a training academy here. It will start first by training our own people to do it very well, then it will go further to train others in Niger Delta.
 “I started this thing at 21 years old, and I have been able to grow it like this, both as a way of giving back. Almost everywhere, any big hotel I see somebody who worked in Genesis, and they are opening doors for me. It is goodwill, human capital development.
 “We are 32 years operational now. From 1990 when it was conceived, it came operational in 1991. I started in Enugu, but Rivers State has given me a good space to nurture my business. I am now across the country: Lagos, Abuja, Owerri, Warri, Benin, Asaba, others.

“We are developing our community, we are developing our people, even as I am owner of one of the biggest in this, most of the spaces are for foreigners who claimed they are Nigerians as well. But since I started it and done it well, it has given the impetus to a lot of Nigerians to even say they can do it, let’s try”.
 He recalled that the success had earned Genesis Group recognition from the popular PYNE Africa hospitality awards.
Speaking further, the Genesis GMD said: “In addition, we were conferred the National Productivity Merit (NPoM) Award by the president of Nigeria which recognises and honors organisations and individuals for significant achievements in the country.

“Having said all that the Genesis group cannot boast about her achievements and success without the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, who have genuinely created a platform for indigenous companies like Genesis to thrive and grow in the oil and gas industry.
“The agency has remained true to it core values by creating opportunities for indigenous businesses committed to making a difference in Nigeria by creating jobs and impacting lives.”

Speaking on the Training Academy, Orazulike explained that, “The academy runs a deep and diverse curriculum which provides much needed skills and development to the communities around us.
“It is our sincere intention and we are dedicated to giving back and uplifting members of society so that they can in turn thrive and become wholesome citizens of our beloved country.”
He said the first graduands passed out in August 2023 and, “we have a steady stream of students who are continuously learning, developing and graduating in cycles throughout the year.”

Orazulike, however, thanked all stakeholders who had contributed to the success of The Genesis Group, from vendors and regulatory bodies who we pay money to Bankers and Clients who we collect money from.
 The company’s conglomerate is expanding with the introduction of the Go-genesis Premium app, Genesis Cinema which focus on providing a world-class cinema experience, and have expanded nationally and internationally.

With the launch into the market in 2008, the cinemas operate multiplexes in 12 strategically positioned locations with over 4,000 seat capacity, in major cities across Nigeria.