MEMORIES OF SHERATON: Echoes of vanishing bags and broken ethics by Remmy Nweke - WeekendDigits@ITREALMS

It is often said that lightning does not strike the same spot twice. But when it comes to the loss of personal property within the seemingly secure, high-class ambiance of top-tier event venues in Lagos, history has a painful way of repeating itself; leaving behind not just lost items, but a lingering ache over the steady erosion of professional ethics and basic human decency.

My first encounter with this quiet epidemic occurred years ago during a high-profile media event at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja-Lagos.

In the fast-paced flow of press coverage, I briefly left my digital voice recorder "my midget" on a table to step away for a moment. When I returned, it had vanished into thin air. At the time, I chalked it up to an isolated incident, a rare breach of trust in a room filled with fellow professionals.

Fast forward to July 23, 2026, at the Lateef Jakande Lecture held at the same venue. A gathering dedicated to celebrating the legacy of a legendary statesman and journalist; an event built on the bedrock of integrity, public service, and truth. Yet, beneath the polished speeches and formal attire, the same dark element played out.

I had placed my conference bag carefully beneath my chair while participating in the proceedings. By the end of the session, the bag was gone.

The anger and shock that followed were not merely about the material contents of the bag or the recorder. It is the profound sense of moral decadence. These were not events open to random street opportunists; these halls were filled with colleagues, media professionals, and invited guests; individuals tasked with holding society accountable.

What makes it even more disquieting is the sheer absurdity of the act. Had whoever took the bag simply asked or expressed a need, I would have willingly shared or assisted. Instead, stealth and pettiness took priority over camaraderie and professional respect.

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These "Memories of Sheraton" serve as a grim reminder of a broader societal reflection. When professional halls and intellectual gatherings become hotspots for petty theft, we must ask ourselves hard questions about the state of our collective ethics.

If we cannot safeguard basic trust and integrity among peers in a conference room, how do we hold the line for the public good? The vanishing bags and missing gadgets are just physical symptoms; the real loss is the broken ethics that echo silently after the crowds disperse.