It Takes Foresight to Create Something Attractive and Unique – Adedayo Akinwale

Mr. Adedayo Charles Akinwale works with multinational organizations and travels widely, gaining a wide range of exposure. 

He recently opened his multipurpose 360 Arena, a hub for entertainment, a lounge, a hotel, and an event center strategically located in the fast-rising development environment of the Akaun area of Agunfoye Road in the Ikorodu suburb of Lagos State. 

During the opening ceremony, that attracted upwardly mobile young people, fun-loving residents, and traditional rulers in the area, he shared the motivation behind the Arena, his vision, and other insights with our correspondent. Excerpt: 

What inspired you to venture into the hospitality and events business? 

There are many factors, but the main thing is my experience and exposure as an international person. Secondly, I wanted to bring something unique with an ambient environment of all-around entertainment to the people. That’s why it’s a 360 Arena, and it means all-around entertainment.

What do you intend to achieve with 360 Arena? 

Primarily, to create a conducive and secure environment of comfort and relaxation. We have a poolside, a sporting area with snooker and table tennis, a well-furnished conference room for meetings, a drinking bar and lounge with standard residences for lodging and staying. Additionally, there’s an organized large space for hosting celebrations and events.

…and the future? 

The future has started and is what we are planning to do. As the name implies, it is 360 Hotels. The hotel purposely has an ‘s.’ It’s something we plan to expand beyond the present location. This is the first one; the next will come up in Lekki, on the Island. But for now, we just have the experience and want to build on it. We are starting small, and we are going to grow. That is the future.

Considering the architectural infrastructure, what determines your choice of location? 

It’s a funny situation. I acquired the land a long time ago from someone I knew, who sold it to me. I kept the land but left it open; it was called a playing field. Schools around here used it for football competitions, while children used it as a playground. Someone then suggested that since the land had become an open field used for various activities, I should either develop it for a better purpose or it would become community land. After careful study, research, and consultations, I came up with something of general interest as a means to serve the community’s interest for relaxation, sporting activities, hosting of events, and other areas of entertainment and hospitality. Being a person with foresight and a perfectionist spirit, I envisaged something small and simple that could become beautiful and attractive on the land. However, while working on this small idea, it evolved into what became a nurtured multipurpose entertainment and hospitality arena for people to experience new serenity. That is how we turned this little generated idea into a viable means of futuristic reality.

Do you subscribe to the notion that ‘ideas rule the world’? 

Definitely yes. Ideas rule the world. That is what brought about 360 Arena, a component and hub of hospitality for relaxation, entertainment, lounge, bar, hotel, and event center. We started with something small, but it grew to become an enviable industry. Without generated ideas, we cannot envisage 360 Arena.

What impact do you expect it to have beyond business?

This kind of facility is beyond the expectation of immediate returns but creates something unique in the community for people to be happy that something different exists in this place. Yes, it’s an investment, and beyond making money, we fixed the community road for residents’ easy passage. I also have another business where I provided a transformer for the community. Although it is the responsibility of the government, this is what I can do as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to impact the community, which is also my priority.

What advice do you have for the younger generation?

For the youth, as young men and women in this generation, you have a lot to offer, and you must genuinely be determined to achieve your goals. Though it may be tough and rough, believe in yourself and stay focused.

From my life experience, good things don’t come easy; there are always challenges and hurdles to cross. I didn’t have the opportunity to go to university; I went to a Polytechnic and graduated with an HND. After I finished, I was not comfortable and pursued my BSc degree. Unfortunately, my Polytechnic was not accredited; therefore, my credits could not be transferred, and I wanted the degree. I had A’s, and the possibility of waiving a four-year course to finish in three years was not possible. I had to start all over again from year one at the university for my degree, after six years of completing my HND, serving the mandatory one-year NYSC, and starting to work. I went back to year one again because I knew where I was going. The youth must put their minds into whatever they want and do it with their strength, commitment, and foresight.

Today, in my place of work, I can compete, negotiate, argue, and express my views because I have the qualifications. If I did not have them, I wouldn’t be able to say or engage in anything. They should not focus on their present situation but on where they are going and what they want to achieve in life.

What drives you? 

I am driven by my family, my parents, and my brother’s passion for success and making a difference. To the glory of God, I have tried, but there is room for growth.

What is your vision in life? 

To be an industrialist. The funniest thing is that we are not all out for money, but to impact lives, create opportunities, and contribute to the comfort and convenience of society. At times, I wish I could have a massive industry to create 5,000 to 7,000 jobs for people. If I consider the returns, I would not have erected this structure here. With my limited knowledge and experience, when I look at the structure, I imagine how far we have come and what we have accomplished here.

It takes foresight to create something attractive and attention-grabbing like this; to raise the standard of living in the community, foster a sense of belonging in the environment, and inspire others to make a difference.