The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, has honoured Nollywood actress and adventurer, Miss Doris Gomba, with a ₦15 million grant and appointed her Ambassador of Tourism for Eleme, in recognition of her historic 27-day trek from Accra, Ghana to Eleme.
Gomba, who trekked on foot through Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic before arriving in Nigeria, was received at a special ceremony held in her honour, where Chief Ollor described the feat as a landmark achievement that has brought pride, global attention and renewed historical consciousness to the Eleme people.
Welcoming her back to what he described as “the land of her fathers,” the council chairman commended Gomba’s courage, resilience and determination, noting that the journey went beyond physical endurance to touch deeply on the historical narratives of Eleme origin.
Chief Ollor explained that some historical accounts trace Eleme ancestry to parts of present-day Ghana, including an area in the Upper Volta region that bears the name “Eleme.”
“By trekking from Ghana to Eleme, you have demonstrated that this journey is possible and, in the process, brought history alive for our people,” he said. “You have made history and opened a new chapter, not just for yourself, but for Eleme as a whole.”
He assured that the local government would continue to support Gomba, stressing that her achievement should mark the beginning of greater opportunities. The chairman also urged youths of Eleme to look beyond politics and explore other sectors where they can build brands, create value and positively project the local government area.
In recognition of her accomplishment, Chief Ollor officially named Gomba the Eleme Ambassador of Tourism, describing her as a symbol of courage, cultural pride and tourism promotion. He further announced a financial commitment of ₦5 million annually for three years—amounting to ₦15 million—as sustained support for her initiatives during his tenure.
Chief Ollor concluded by offering prayers and blessings for the actress, describing the occasion as a sign of a divine covenant during his time as chairman.
Responding, a visibly elated Doris Gomba thanked God for the successful completion of the journey and expressed deep gratitude to the Eleme Local Government chairman for the warm reception and support. She revealed that she encountered a community named Eleme in Ghana, adding that her motivation was to project Eleme Local Government Area to the world and inspire young people to seek opportunities beyond politics.
Gomba urged Eleme youths to embrace creativity, resilience and innovation as tools for personal growth and community development, assuring them that Eleme has the potential to shine on the global stage.
