By Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State was thrown into a big arena of conviviality and celebrations last weekend when Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd, a formidable pipeline security firm, immortalised former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, with an ultra-modern auditorium and outdoor sports centre sunk in Ogbona Secondary School.
The state-of-the-art facility, named Ibrahim Lamorde Hall in memory of the anti-corruption czar, and facilitated by Peter Omoh Dunia, Executive Director of Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd and inaugurated in an event graced by dignitaries including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, was described as a testament to Lamorde’s legacy as a champion of community development.
Management of Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd, led by Mr Peter Omoh Dunia, its Executive Director and School Management Board member of Ogbona Secondary School in a group photograph with the family of late DIG Ibrahim Lamorde, during the inauguration of the Ultra modern auditorium named in his honour in Edo State over the weekend.
The facility, built by Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd, chaired by Lamorde until his demise on May 25th, 2024, was inaugurated by Archbishop Gabriel Dunia and Engineer Okodugha Dauda Aluyah, Special Assistant to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
Other dignitaries at the event Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Omobayo Godwins, who delivered his boss’ goodwill message, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engineer Mele Kyari, South/South Zonal Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, family members of Ibrahim Lamorde led by Adamawa State Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Usman Lamorde, his Ministry of Education counterpart in Edo State, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, and National President of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON), Chief Style Tamaranebi.
Other members of the Lamorde family present at the event include the scion of Ibrahim Lamorde, Mr. Usman Lamorde and another younger sibling of the late anti-graft czar, Dr. Suleiman Lamorde while the team of Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd was led by the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Femi Meshe as well as the security’s firm’s Executive Director, Mr. Niyi Oginni.
Dignitaries at the event
Besides captains of the oil and gas industry as well as the traditional institutions from various towns in Etsako axis of Edo State and indeed all over the country, HRM Jackson Aperelire Etokhana, Ogie Ahwianwu of Avhianwu Clan, led the people of Etsako communities to the inauguration ceremony.
Special dignitaries, including Jonathan, Obaseki, Momoh, Kyari, Oviawe, in their goodwill messages hailed the board and management of Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited for being a responsible corporate citizen, while urging all other corporate bodies to emulate the patriotic gesture of the private security firm.
Former President Jonathan, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Godwins Omobayo, lauded the efforts of Inter-Atlas Synergy, particularly its Executive Director, Peter Dunia, for bringing education closer to the people of Ogbona community and urged other well-meaning indigenes as well as corporate organisations to follow suit.
The Chairperson of Ogbona Secondary School Management Board (SMB), Mrs. Joan Egwuonwu, in her goodwill message, lauded the Inter-Atlas, Synergy Ltd, saying the “ultra-modern school auditorium and outdoor sports centre donated by Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited, courtesy of our respected board member, Peter Omoh Dunia Esq, are the crowns of this board’s plethora of interventions.”
Traditional rulers and chief across Etsakoland in attendance
HRM Jackson Aperelire Etokhana, on his part, hailed the Inter-Atlas Synergy and one of its Executive Directors, Peter Omoh Dunia, describing him as a ”valuable, public-spirited and selfless personality, who has made unparalleled and far-reaching contributions to the upliftment and development of Avhianwu Clan, Etsakoland and their people.”
Tamaranebi made a clarion call to the oil and gas multi- nationals not to hide under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to shirk their responsibilities in adding values to Niger Delta communities.
The spokesperson of the Lamorde family, Dr. Suleiman Lamorde, expressed appreciation to the board and management of Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd for honouring and immortalising his elder brother.
“Mr. Lamorde was born in the far away Adamawa State, North East of Nigeria, but the first public recognition given to him to immortalise him is coming from Ogbona, Etsako, Edo State.
“We are happy and we are proud of this. We have a second home in Ogbona, Etsako LGA of Edo State,” he said.
The NNPCL Chief Executive, Mallam Mele Kyari, on his part, acknowledged the synergy between Ogbona community and Inter-Atlas Limited in facilitating development projects to the oil bearing community reiterating that “it is a result of collaboration where stakeholders work together as a team.”
Kyari, represented at the occasion by a top official of NNPCL, Muhammed Adamu, said that the project was a testament to the power of synergy in creating opportunities, while urging continued harmony among host communities and oil firms for prosperity.
The NNPCL boss also commended the security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, NSCDC as well as the Federal Government privately-contracted pipeline surveillance firm, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. (TSSNL), for doing a good job.
The facility
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd, Mr. Femi Meshe, in his speech, said the auditorium and outdoor sports centre were built in line with the company’s “dedication to improving the quality of life in the host communities where we operate. Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited has instituted a program to undertake various infrastructure development projects through the Niger Delta.”
According to him, “We believed that the Ogbona Secondary School Ultra-modern Auditorium and Sports Facilities building, 2,000-seater auditorium and sporting facility will enhance both educational and civic activities in the entire Ogbona community.
“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.”
Meanwhile, a member of Ogbona School Management Board and Executive Director of Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd, Mr. Dunia, who led Ogbona community leaders to the inauguration, described late Lamorde as “a people-person and problem solver who could be relied on to help at any time, a loyal and unifying figure who maintained an extensive network of good relationships with inclusion and diversity.”
Speaking further on Lamorde, Dunia said, “As a man of deep religious convictions who was dedicated to the Muslim faith, he (Lamorde) was a committed family man who dearly cherished his family and a champion of communities.
“From the philanthropic outreaches he sponsored non-stop in his native Mubi, Adamawa State, to the many other communities where he worked across the nation, securing a safe and flourishing community life was a priority to him.”
Highlights of the ceremony included cultural displays by different groups in Etsakoland and a sumptuous entertainment of guests.
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