Why we built Auditorium, Sports Centre in Edo State – Inter Atlas’ MD – Meshe***Why we immortalised Lamorde – Peter Dunia

By Pearl Harold

Late former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Lamorde, has been immortalised in Edo State.

An ultra-modern auditorium and outdoor sports centre built at Ogbona Secondary School, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, was named Ibrahim Lamorde Hall.

A director in Inter-Atlas Synergy, Peter Omoh Dunia, hails from Ogbona community, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

The edifice was built by award-winnning pipelines security firm, Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited, chaired by Lamorde until his demise on May 25th, 2024.

One of the Executive Directors of the private security outfit, Mr. Peter Omoh Dunia, hails from the community.

The project was facilitated by Dunia, popularly known as Peter Black.

The event laced with pomp and pageantry, was witnessed by the cream-de-la-cream of the society, especially the representatives of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Edo State Governor, Mr.
Godwin Obaseki, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Omobayo Godwins, who delivered his boss’ goodwill message, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engineer Abubakar Momoh, 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, elated 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, National President of the Host Comminities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON), Chief Style Tamaranebi

Other members of Lamorde family present at the event include the scion of Ibrahim Lamorde, Mr. Usman I.
Lamorde and another younger sibling of the late anti-graft czar, Dr. Suleiman Lamorde.

The team of Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited was led by the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Femi Meshe.

The security’s company’s Executive Director, Mr. Niyi Oginni, was also present at the epoch-making event.

The clerics were led to the event by the Catholic Archbishop of Auchi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia.

Captains of the oil and gas industry as well as top executives in the public and private sectors were not left out.

The traditional institutions from various towns in Etsako axis of Edo State and indeed all over the country, were fully represented at the occasion.

Specifically, HRM Jackson Aperelire Etokhana, Ogie Ahwianwu of Avhianwu Clan led the appreciative and joyous people of Etsako communities to the inauguration ceremony.

His Lordship, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, Bishop of Auchi Diocese.
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.

They urged all other corporate bodies to emulate the patriotic gesture of the private security firm.

In her goodwill message, the Chairperson of Ogbona Secondary School Management Board (SMB), Mrs. Joan Egwuonwu, also praised the Inter-Atlas, Synergy Limited, especially Dunia, adding that 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.”

HRM Jackson Aperelire Etokhana also towed the same line with Egwuonwu, by hauling ecomiums at Inter-Atlas Synergy and one of its Executive Director, Peter Omoh Dunia, whom he described 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.”

In his goodwill, Tamaranebi said, “I’m privileged to be here to witness this laudable project in Niger Delta host community today in Edo State. Permit me to use this medium as a clarion call to the Oil and Gas multi- Nationals, which has hide under Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, not to do the needful for our impoverished communities.

“Today Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited has displayed commitment in CSR to our communities and the Host community organization which we want to thank you for promise kept and promise delivered and we say there is brighter tomorrow and God Bless Inter Atlas, God bless Nigeria.”

The spokesman of Lamorde family, Dr. Suleiman Lamorde, expressed appreciation to the board and management of Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited for honouring and immortalising his older sibling.

The medical practitioner was particularly elated that the first attempt to immortalise his late brother, who hailed from Adamawa State in the North East geopolitical zone of the country came from Edo State in the South/South of the country.

“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 thoughtful gesture,” Lamorde added.

Meshe, in his speech said the the auditorium and outdoor sports centre was provided by Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited 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.”

“We believed 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, Etsako Central LGA, Edo State, 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.”

“Finally, 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.”

Dunia, who was moved to tears while presenting his address and tribute of Ibrahim Abdullahi Lamorde, described him as a ” dedicated Muslim, 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 to the many other communities where he worked accross the nation, securing a safe and flourishing community life was a priority to him. As Board Chairman of Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited and coming into the Oil and Gas Industrial security and project management space with operations in the Niger Delta region, he was appalled at the level of environmental degradation and deprivation suffered by many of the communities. He believed that their plight needed to be highlighted in the work of Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited and lasting solutions advocated for action.”

“Unfortunately, he passed away on the 25th of May, 2024. He left behind a legacy of lifetime service to God humanity, community and country. The Ogbona Community Secondary School Ultra-modern and Sports Centre in Estako Central LGA of Edo State is named in his honour and loving memory by Inter-Atlas by Synergy Limited, as company he led after his retirement from public service until his demise.”

Highlights of the ceremony include cultural displays by different groups in Etsakoland and formal inauguration of the auditorium and outdoor sports centre by Archbishop Dunia and Representative of gbd Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engineer Okodugha Dauda Aluyah, who is the Special Assistant to the minister on Project Monitoring (South-South).