OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO/GODWIN AYOBAMI RACHEL
Ovwodokpokpor, a sleepy Community in Olomu Kingdom of Ughelli South Local Government Area was agog on Independence Day, Thursday, October 1, 2020 as a tourist destination, Jakesville 57, A River Beach Resort & Farms was commissioned to take the tourist industry, entertainment as well as the hospitality industry in the Niger Delta region in general and particularly Delta State to the next level with state of the art facilities.
Welcoming dignitaries and guests from across the country to the ceremony, Olorogun Jacob Diedjomahor, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Jakesville 57: A River Beach Resort & Farms said that the commissioning of the tourist destination is the celebration of a dream of contributing to the overall development of his community, Ovwodokpokpor and Olomu in Ughelli South come true.
According to him, “four years ago, when I disengaged from the services of Chevron as the Exploration Manager after 31 years of service, my goal was to up my contribution to the development of my community, Ovwodokpokpor, in particular and Olomu in general. I have always been interested and involved in the development of Ovwodokpokpor, where I am currently the President General of Ovwodokpokpor Development Union.”
He added, ” before my retirement, I had gone into farming (cash crops, poultry, fishery and piggery) and upon retirement, I increased the scope of my farming activities and other economic endeavours in Ovwodokpokpor. I also started spending more time in Ovwodokpokpor. But I was still restless. I wanted to do more. In my restlessness, I remembered a resort I once visited in 2006 in London. It was in a very serene rural setting. Then it struck me I could do a similar thing in Ovwodokpokpor. Welcome to the birth of Jakesville57, a river beach resort and farms.”
Olorogun Diedjomahor disclosed that his undying interest to better the lots of the community he came from made him to come up with the multi-million naira investment in the tourism, hospitality and entertainment industry being commissioned.
He spoke further, “people have asked me, why sink hundreds of millions into a project like this in Ovwodokpokpor? Will it be economically viable? Can you recoup your investment? The responses are: If not Ovwodokpokpor, where? If not me, who will help develop Ovwodokpokpor? No good businessman goes into a business venture to lose; I have done my homework. But beyond pure business sense, it is very important to give back to the community it has pleased God that I should come from. The perfect God, who made me an Ovwodokpokpor man has a reason for doing so. I believe part of my mission on earth is ultimately to leave my community a better place than I met it. ”
The retired Exploration Manager of Chevron further disclosed that his dreams of raising the bar of economic empowerment of his people has been coming to reality as people of the community and entire Olomu Kingdom have benefited economically since the commencement of construction work on site till completion now when it’s being commissioned, adding that it has provided employment for over twenty staff with likelyhood of more being employed in the very near future, he added, ” Jakesville57 has, and will continue to have rippling economic benefits in the local community.”
The Founder/C. E. O, Jakesville 57. A River Beach Resort & Farms spoke further on what guests who patronize the place stands to benefit, “Jakesville57 is meant to give you the kind of comfort you get at home and much more. Those of you from Warri, Lagos and other urban centres can attest, even if grudgingly, that the kind of fresh air you have been breathing since you arrived in Ovwodokpokpor is different from the polluted air in the cities.”
Olorogun Diedjomahor added, “Jakesville57 offers you a variety: a large open event arena for trade exhibitions and other outdoor events including open air parties, two executive conference halls with sitting capacities up to 100, a modern and exclusive bar and grill, a Sports Bar and viewing centre, two large gazebos for outdoor sitting and parties, several standard and well-furnished rooms, an exclusive restaurant with assorted dishes, two Olympic size swimming pools with a delineated children’s session, a games centre, a well secured parking space for up to 100 cars, a mini mart for your needs and an exquisite boutique for easy shopping. Jakesville57 also has children playground, artificial beaches and numerous fish lakes and farms. We guarantee you maximum security and 24-hour power supply.”
He then on behalf of his amiable wife, Olorogun Augustina Diedjomahor expressed his appreciation to God for His mercies upon his family, HRM Richard Layeguen Ogbon-Oghoro 1, the Ohworode of Olumu Kingdom, chairman of the occasion, Venerable Most Evangelist Emmanuel Evue, the guest of honour, Prince Austin Enajemo-Isire, members of Urhobo Social Club, Lagos who were present in their large numbers, his former colleagues at Chevron, Olomu Chiefs, family, members, friends and well-wishers from far and near, members of the fourth estate of the realm, the Press, members of Esi College Old Boys Assocition and all those who have contributed in one way or the other to making his dream a reality.
In his speech, Venerable Most Evangelist Emmanuel Evue, chairman of the occasion commended the business audacity and patriotic zeal of Olorogun Diedjomahor for embarking on the project in the face of economic down turn and insecurity prevalent in the nation.
In his keynote address, the Special Guest Of Honour, Prince Austin Enajemo-Isire, chairman, National Social Insurance Trust Fund(NSITF) and Davo Dani Microfinance Bank commended the bravery and audacity of Olorogun Diedjomahor who he described as a visioner with an uncommon attributes driven by agape love for his people to establish such a gigantic project which according to him is of inestimable value.
According to Prince Enajemo-Isire, “this is Dubai in Nigeria, which in my opinion, will save many wise Nigerians and other Tourists their hard earned resources to procure airfares and hard currency for a trip to the Middle East of Abu dabi, Dubai and Europe as well as Disney land of Florida, USA.”
He added, “your actions and vision is worthy of commendation, considering the current insecurity challenges in different communities and the country at large. A time when many people of great ideas and means distant themselves from their home state and their father land for fear of their lives. I salute your courage.”
The chairman of NSITF then callef on the people of Ovwodokpokpor and the entire Olomu, both young and old to join hands and pray faithfully for greater success of the project in the years ahead, for the benefit of all, including children yet unborn.”
Also speaking, HRM Richard Layeguen Ogbon-Oghoro 1, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom while commending Olorogun Diedjomahor for the gigantic project called on other well meaning sons and daughters of Olomu Kingdom to emulate the good gesture to further bring in development and economic growth to Olomu Kingdom.
He called for unity in Urhobo nation saying for Urhobo nation to move forward, there must be a unity of purpose.
High point was the commissioning of the facility by HRM Ogbon Oghoro 1, Owhorode of Olomu Kingdom.
