Edo govt to develop tourism master plan, revitalise Ojirami Dam

Obaseki

The Edo State government says it has concluded arrangement to revitalise the Ojirami Dam in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state to provide and supply potable water to residents.

The state governor, Godwin Obaseki made the disclosure at the 25th coronation anniversary and birthday celebration of the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki II, held in Igarra-Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday.

Obaseki, who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affair, Mr Bamidele Obaitan, said the government was developing a tourism master plan aimed at creating job opportunities for the people of the state.

He said that the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area is part of the tourism master plan due to the huge tourism sites located in the council and Edo North in general.

“We are working on a tourism master plan to develop the tourism potential in Edo.

“Akoko-Edo is abound with huge tourism potential and the local government is part of our tourism master plan due to various tourist sites in the area.

“With the development of the local government tourism potential, the area will bring more businesses and money to the people and the state in general,” Obaseki said.

The governor promised the people of the local government establishment of more health centres and construction of more roads to boost economic productivity in the council as part of his mega project.

Obaseki congratulated the Otaru of Igarra on his 25 years on the throne, adding that the years had witnessed peaceful reign in Igarraland.

“I must congratulate you on your 25 year as the Otaru of Igarra and your reign has brought valuable services to the people of Igarra.

“As you mark your 25th coronation, may God grant you many more years on the throne,” Obaseki said.

In his welcome address, the chairman of the Igarra community, Mr Tajudeen Alade said Igarra was celebrating over two decades of peaceful and successful reign on the royal throne of Otaru of Igarra.

“This is why with one voice, all indigenes of Igarra community are praying that God in his infinite mercy continues to protect and guide him, give him good health, long life, wisdom and zeal.

“We pray God to usher into his domain, greater unity, love, peace and accord him all necessary ingredients for the development of his immediate domain,” he said.

Chairman of the community also appealed to the state government to establish a processing or manufacturing industry to provide manufactured materials due to different solid minerals that abound in the local government area.

Earlier, the Otaru of Igarra, thanked the state government and the people of the community for the support and cooperation in the last 25 years as the traditional ruler of the area.

Adeche said that his 25 years as the paramount ruler of Igarra have brought meaningful development to the area.

“I am grateful to God and our ancestors for the protection and guidance accorded me since September 20, 1997 when officially I was installed as the 21st Otaru of Igarra.

“Since my coronation as the Otaru of Igarra and the paramount ruler of Igarra/Akoko clan, I have been having the best cooperation and wise counsel of the state government, Akoko-Edo Local Area, traditional rulers’ council, palace chiefs, elders and the entire people of Igarra community.

“Their collective contributions have made governance in Igarra royal palace peaceful,” he said.

The Otaru of Igarra enjoined every Igarra indigene to have a new heart that exhibits love and a new spirit that promotes unity in the community.

He also appealed to the state government to create a higher institution in the local government for more development in the council.

The highpoint of the event was the confirmation of chieftaincy title on the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami as the Oganete of Igarra and Dr Mariam Ibrahim, Deputy Director Administration, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria as Otuonoguvo of Igarra

ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE