•Okowa, Clark, HRM Sideso praise Gbagi for taking the lead

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-Souh

ON the record, the event  was the inauguration of the new Robinson Gbagi Mall and 18-pump Falcon Bay Petrol Station, both located at Effurun, near Warri, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, but in reality, it was a brainstorming economic summit on the gradual emergence of Effurun, a former hotbed of crisis as the new trade and industry headquarters of the state.

The official opening of the additional investments in the state by a former Minister of State for Education and Chairman, GKO Group of Companies, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, also turned out a truth-telling session on how the animosity among the feuding Warri ethnic groups has robbed the twin cities of Warri and Effurun of the much-needed development.

Gov. Okowa

Runaway companies ‘ll return- Okowa

Delta state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who commended Gbagi and GKO Properties for the 600-shop mall and petrol station, noted that Uvwie kingdom, which used to be breeding ground, was fast taking its place as the trade and industry hub of the state because of the newfound peace in the monarchy.

Saying he was aware that the investments by Gbagi in Uvwie, which are not limited to two newly inaugurated investments complement hugely the wealth creation of programme of the state government, the governor asserted that it would also help to grow commerce in the area and environs

His words: “This will help to create wealth, which is one of our agenda. I will also congratulate the Uvwie King. Uvwie is no more as it used to be. There is no doubt that with peace, Uvwie will be the most commercial nerve centre of the state.”

“We should always talk about peace whenever we have the chance. The youths must embrace peace to have a good future and if we remain committed the way we are going, we will be able to return Warri and Uvwie to what they used to be. Companies have moved out of Warri but with peace, they will return. With the population and peaceful environment, the place is good for great investment,” he added.

We commend Gbagi- Iyasere

Speaking, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Mary Iyasere, asserted: “We go out to look for investors, but we have investors here. Ours is to thank you (Gbagi) for investing in the state.

“The state government is happy that you are investing in the state and we want you to do so with the fear of God,” he added.

Monarch excited at Uvwie’s transformation

The traditional ruler of Uvwie kingdom, Ovie of Uvwie HRM Emmanuel Sidedo, Abe I, who was clearly happy at the new dawn in his monarchy, declared, “On behalf of the people of Uvwie kingdom, I thank Okowa for restoring peace to Delta state, we thank the governor for bringing peace to Uvwie and hence the development. Uvwie is the commercial nerve centre of the state. I am happy that peace has returned to Uvwie. We, the Uvwie people also thank Gbagi for creating jobs for our youths and bringing peace to Uvwie and the state. Uvwie is peaceful and I am inviting all investors to come,” he said.

Clark hammers on peace

Father of the day, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, also thanked Gbagi and called for support for Governor Okowa. “I thank Gbagi for what he is doing. Gbagi has done a lot, he is a lawyer and somehow a politician but he is a businessperson, he has invested heavily in Warri and Uvwie.

“Warri used to be a second- class town, but the three ethnic groups in Warri refused to let Warri grow and hence development shifted to Uvwie. Let us live together, let us love ourselves, more investors will come but if we refuse, Warri will go down,” the elder statesman said.

He continued: “Let us reexamine ourselves as we have a lot to gain. I always said that the good man is not the one who goes to church and do evil, but the one who shows love. I believe Warri will be great again, if you love others as you love yourself. I congratulate Governor Okowa for the wonderful performance at PDP convention. Today it is your turn; those who are left should support the one, who is there and when you leave, support the ones coming.” Clark said.

5,000 to benefit daily from mall alone- Gbagi

The man of the moment, Chairman of GKO Group of Companies, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, in his opening speech, gave thanks to God for giving him a chance to support others.

“It is fortunate that God has given us the opportunity to lend a helping hand to Nigerians and be part of the economic growth associated with our time. The 600-shop Robinson Gbagi Mall 2, which we are commissioning today, will bring about hope, food, build small businesses, livelihood for over 5,000 Deltans and Nigerians on a daily basis.

“I use this opportunity to call on the government of Nigeria at both state and federal levels to encourage business men and women entrepreneurs, who are proficient in businesses with track records and transparent source of wealth to do more. You cannot discourage your local business men and women and expect foreign investors to come and invest. Government should concern itself with provision of the necessary essentials to grow businesses,” the business wizard said.

Gbagi, with his multi-billion naira Golden Tulip Hotel, Warri, Geekay Guest House, Warri, Robinson Plaza I (500 shops) – Deco Road, Warri, Robinson Plaza II (600-shops)- PTI Junction, Light House Cinema and Mall, Warri and Falcon Bay Energy can take the accolade as Delta’s leading entrepreneur. This is besides Geekos Investment Limited, Skye Grade Construction Company Nigeria Limited and several other investments at Lagos, Abuja and abroad.

Ufuoma, Uche, Efe, others storm LightHouse Cinema

Acting General Manger of one of the investments, Golden Tulip, (Warri Airport Hotel), Effurun, Mr. Kayode Adewunmi, who shed light on the impact of the hotel in the area, said: “It is the only 4- star hotel in Warri with trained and dedicated staff rendering international services with local flavour.”

He boasted: “We have the biggest hall (Fame Dela Hall) that can accommodate 3,000 persons for live show, concert, conference and convention. We have hosted many shows and concerts at the hall. Our ambience and friendly environment is the number one place to hang out in Warri.”

During Saturday Vanguard’s visit to Warri, Nollywood actress, Ufuoma McDermott was at the Light House Cinema on a Meet and Greet campaign to publicize her latest movie, “Christmas is Coming”, which started showing in cinemas across Nigeria, last month.

Uche Jumbo, Omani Obili Efe Edjeba (BBN) and other celebrities had also visited Lighthouse cinema.