The official opening of the Botanical Gardens at PATHWAYS kicked off in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North in Delta State of Nigeria on Friday March 20, 2020. PATHWAYS which stands for Practical African Tourism and Hospitality Ways, is a training institution run by Olorogun (Mrs.) Wanda Ibru, wife of Olorogun Oskar C.J. Ibru.
The event which also featured a book launch started a little after 11:00am, and had several important dignitaries such as eminent arts legend, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya in attendance. Also present was the Delta State Commissioner for Tourism, Hon Lawrence Ejiofor, while the royal father of the day was the ageless the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro I (JP).
Starting with a tour of the library of the institution, Mrs. Ibru who holds the chieftaincy titles of Oyinbo Ukaro of Olomu Kingdom and Yeye Boyejo of Ijebuland, showed guests the rich catalogue of books and academic materials available, before heading out to the garden for the official tape cutting where she was joined by her husband and other important guests.
His Royal Majesty, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom made his entrance just as the tour of the Botanical Garden commenced, with Mrs. Ibru leading the way as she pointed out the various flowers and plant species, highlighting their unique features to the enthusiastic guests.
After the tour of the garden, guests were led into the hall for the launch of the book titled, Costus Spectabilis : Nigeria’s Obscure National Plant and the Symbol of her Beauty by a young Nigerian Emmanuel Thomas a beneficiary of the benevolence of Mrs. Ibru who found out about his work on the rare national plant and inspired him to write the book.
Agbarha-Otor is the ancestral home of the Ibru family, while Prof Onobrakpeya is also a native of the town. PATHWAYS is situated along the main road into the community just before Ibru Clinic.
