Edo community names school after late EFCC chair, Lamorde

The memory of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde who died on May 25 this year came to life in the Niger Delta region on Saturday as Ogbona community of Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State formally commissioned an ultramodern auditorium and outdoor sports centre at the community secondary school to immortalise the late crime buster.

Tagged ‘Ibrahim Lamorde Hall’, the Ogbona community noted with delight that the projects were inaugurated in remembrance of Lamorde who, in his lifetime, immensely supported war against environmental degradation in the area and Niger Delta region as a whole.

“He (Lamorde) was appalled at the level of environmental degradation and deprivation suffered by many of the communities and believed that their plight needed to be highlighted, and lasting solutions advocated for action, through a pet project he initiated on retiring from the public office,” the community stated.

A member of Ogbona School Management Board and Executive Director of Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd, an oil and gas industrial security and project management firm, Mr. Peter Dunia, who led Ogbona community leaders to the commissioning ceremony 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.

“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 Ultramodern Auditorium and Sports complex in Etsako Central LGA of Edo State is named in his honour and loving memory by Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited, the company he led after his retirement from public service until his demise.”

In a goodwill message, the NNPCL Chief Executive, Mallam Mele Kyari, acknowledged the synergy between Ogbona community and Inter-Atlas Limited in facilitating development projects to the oil bearing community stressing 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 posited that the project is a testament of what synergy can do and called for continued harmony among host communities and oil firms so that production can continue unhindered.

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 a good job well done.

Also, the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, represented by his Special Assistant on Project Monitoring, Engr. Okodugha Dauda tasked the people of Niger Delta to emulate Ogbona community by contributing to the development of their various communities.

According to the Minister, “having benefited from the community, they should be able to give back to the community.”

He disclosed that the Ministry has continued to contribute to the development of Niger Delta region in consonance with the pledge by President Bola Tinubu to continue to maintain peace and development of the region.

In an emotion-laden response on behalf of the Lamorde family, Dr. Suleiman Lamorde, a brother to the late EFCC Chairman appreciated Ogbona community for “the extraordinary gesture” displayed by the Niger Delta community to their departed benefactor.

He said, “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.

Dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony included the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr Omobayo Godwins; the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe; the Ogie Anvianwu of Anvianwu, Etsako Central LGA, His Majesty Chief Jackson Etokhana; the Aigbokhaivho of Anvianwu, Chief Dan Orbih; the national president of HOSTCOM, Dr. Benjamin Style Tamaranebi and other captains of industry drawn from different parts of the country, among others.