Hotels in Jos, the Plateau State capital, have been inundated with visitors ahead of the burial of Jeremiah Useni, a retired Lt. Gen. and former minister of the FCT in his hometown of Langtang North on Saturday.
The influx of guests has caused many hotels, especially in the Rayfield area, to quickly fill up, leaving little to no availability for latecomers.
Crispan Hotel, Elim Hotel, and Spring Valley Hotel are among the most popular accommodations that have experienced high occupancy levels. “People started booking since Wednesday, and by Thursday, our rooms were completely Full. The demand for rooms has been overwhelming, and we’re doing our best to accommodate everyone”; said a staff member at Crispan Hotel, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Hotel staff across the city report a similar surge in bookings. A staff member at Elim Hotel added, “It’s been non-stop. Even guests who arrived earlier than planned found it difficult to secure rooms as the bookings kept coming in. The high volume of people attending the funeral has certainly made it harder for visitors to find space.”
Spring Valley Hotel, another popular lodging spot in Rayfield, also confirmed the surge. A staffer stated, “Our hotel was fully booked by Thursday and many people were turned away. It’s the same situation across other hotels in the area. Visitors are arriving from across the country to pay their respects.”
With Jeremiah Useni, a prominent retired military leader, set to be laid to rest on Saturday, hotels and other facilities in Jos have been overwhelmed by the high number of people attending the funeral. “We’ve had guests from all over, including military personnel, political figures, and members of the public,” explained the staff member from Spring Valley Hotel.
As the funeral of late Jeremiah Useni approaches, the Plateau State capital continues to prepare for an influx of mourners, with local hotels and guesthouses working overtime to manage the growing demand.
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