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From Ben Dunno, Warri
The peaceful ambience of ancient agrarian Ogbona community in Etsako Central Local Government area of Delta state, was overwhelmed at the weekend, as visitors from all walks of life stormed the community to witness the official commissioning of Ogbona Community Secondary School Ultra-Modern Auditorium and Outdoor Sports Centre, built in memory of the late Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), DIG Ibrahim Lamorde, by Inter-Atlas Synergy.
The event attracted key players in oil and gas sector. It had in attendance former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
Others were Inter-Atlas Synergy’s MD/CEO, Femi Meshe, South-South Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih and the Lamorde family led by Adamawa State Commissioner for Special Duties, Usman Lamorde, his Ministry of Education counterpart in Edo State, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, among other dignitaries.
Kyari stressed the need for more private sector driven initiatives in accelerating the development of Niger Delta region: “It has become evident that government alone cannot meet up with infrastructural deficits of the area.”
He called on all stakeholders, especially, “the major players in oil and gas sector to develop a deliberate short, medium and long term developmental policy aimed at taking up some projects that would enhance the immediate and future wellbeing of people within their operational environment.
Kayri, represented by Mohammed Adam, Manager, Security Services, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), said: “It cannot be a better time for a robust synergy between the government and private sector on the development of host communities across the country than now.” He lauded Inter-Atlas Synergy “for the bold step taken to embark on the project for the purpose of enhancing its educational standards.”
Momoh noted: “Though government is doing a lot in terms of ensuring that host communities benefit one way or the other by ensuring that strategic projects trickle down to all the host communities.
Engr. Momoh who was represented at the occasion by Dr. Okodugha Dauda Aluyah, Special Assistant On Project Monitoring to the Minister,
“However, there is need for all hands to be on deck if truly we are committed and sincere in our collective quest to develop the region. He described the auditorium and outdoor sports centre being commissioned as a key project to educational growth.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Omobayo Godwins, who represented Jonathan and Obaseki, appreciated the company’s efforts, especially Mr. Peter Dunia, Executive Director, Inter-Atlas Synergy, for making the project a reality at a time the educational sector is in need of investment.
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He conveyed the appreciation of both of them to the company for its support at improving the educational standards of students in the school and urged other well-meaning Indigenes both at home and in the Diaspora, as well as private business owners to emulate this kind gesture.
Meshe said: “We believe that the Ogbona Secondary School Ultra-modern Auditorium and Sports Facilities building, 2,000-seater auditorium and sporting facility named after our late Chairman, DIG Ibrahim Lamorde (rtd), will enhance both educational and civic activities in the entire Ogbona community, spurring more of such contributions from other organisations to this community and others accross the region.
“It is our conviction that all International Oil Companies and Local Oil Companies (IOC/LOC) particularly and all other stakeholders, should continue contributing and championing improved economic empowerment and interventions to significantly improve the livelihood of communities in the Niger Delta region.
“This is prime, long-term and sustainable measure for creating disincentive and dissuasion from engaging in illegal activities by a majority of perhaps hapless and misguided youths and people of the region, including the menace of crude oil theft and vandalism for which the good image of the region has been disproportionately tainted.
“We are determined to continue promoting socio-economic and Infrastructural development in the communities where we operate and we are poised to do more in building strong collaboration with local stakeholders and contribute to the overall economic prosperity of our dear nation.”
Orbih thanked the company for the kind gesture, even as he recounted that this was not the time Dunia would be embarking on strategic developmental projects aimed at uplifting the standards of living of the people in the community.
He recalled how he singled handedly tarred a long distance road in the community almost two decades ago and embarked on other philanthropic activities, including giving scholarships to indigenes and dredging bore holes in some communities, describing him as a selfless individual who derived pleasure in putting smiles on the faces of people around him
Dunia slso member, Ogbona Secondary School Management Board son of Ogbona kingdom, disclosed how sad he was over a month ago when he received the news of Lamorde’s demise, considering how close they were as business associate but that having completed and naming the ultra-modern school auditorium after him, he felt fulfilled.
He said Lamorde “lived an exemplary life both in his service to the nation and in private life, adding that his contributions to the development of the society cannot be over emphasized.”
Suleiman Lamorde thanked Inter-Atlas Synergy for immortalizing his older sibling by naming the school auditorium after him, noting that they appreciated the fact that a legacy in memory of their late father was first seen in Edo state. He was particularly elated that the first attempt to immortalise his late brother, who hailed from Adamawa State in the North East came from Edo State in the South/South:
“This development is heart-warming. It further confirmed that Nigeria is one and our oneness is not a fluke. The Lamorde family is extremely grateful to the management of Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited took the initiative to immortalised our brother.
“We are also heavily indebted to our brother, Mr. Peter Dunia, who has been extremely supportive to our family. With the immortalising of our brother in Ogbona Town, in Etsako, we have got a second home in Edo Stafe. We sincerely thank the people of Edo State, for this gesture.”
