By DADA AYOKHAI
The management of the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, BORDA, has restated its commitment to building a nine-hole golf course in the Okpe kingdom, Akoko Edo LGA.
Engineer Saliu Ahmed, the Managing Director of the federal government-owned water interventionist agency catering to the water needs of its catchment communities, disclosed this in Okpe, Wednesday, November 23, during his chieftaincy installation by the Olokpe of Okpe kingdom, His Royal Highness Oba Eshimokhai Idogu III, who also used the occasion to mark the 35th anniversary of his coronation.
Engr Ahmed along with two other deserving personalities was turbaned with traditional titles at the event.
Ahmed bagged the prestigious title of the ODUFADE (the one that brings joy to the people) of the Okpe kingdom, in recognition of his notable contributions to the growth of the Okpe community.
Worthy of note is the fact that Engr Ahmed was the brain behind the establishment of the Okpe Integrated Farms, a project modeled after the hugely successful Songhai Farms in Port Novo, Benin Republic. The project significantly created a huge business value chain and also helped to alleviate youth restiveness in the community by engaging many of them as farm hands as well as in other related areas.
The chieftaincy conferment ceremony was well-attended by dignitaries such as the representatives of the Minister of State of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, and the Otaru of Auchi were present to witness the epoch-making event.
Others included the state Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Hon Lawrence Okah, and a host of others.
Prince Agba, while paying glowing tribute to the recipient, described the traditional title bestowed on Engr Ahmed as a “fitting testimony and reward” to his excellent performance in office as the CEO of the BORDA as well as his unrelenting strides to touch as many lives as possible in a most significant manner
The decision to construct a nine-hole golf course in Okpe would ultimately result in a massive boost to the tourist potential of the scenic Okpe community, with golfers from across the country relishing the natural beauty of the place and at the same time utilizing the hotels and other available entertainment hubs
