In a bid to improve on the economy of that state, a prominent Ilorin-born business mogul, Muhammad Kabir Gobir, has established a state-of-the-art Horse Sport Centre in Ogele, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The centre, according to him, is aimed at improving revenue generation and creating employment opportunities, features a range of facilities including Polo game, restaurant, hotels, event halls, and a veterinary clinic for the treatment of horses and other animals.
Speaking at the February edition of the GDJ Monthly Interface of the Guild of Digital Journalists, (GDJ) at its Secretariat, Gaa-akanbi Ilorin, Gobir expressed his vision to revamp the horse sport industry in Kwara and invited local and international investors to partner in the business.
According to him, the centre which is named Kwara Horse Centre has come to address the challenges many people in the state are facing on how to keep their horses or even manage their health whenever they fall sick.
“The centre is designed to be a full tourist hub, housing various facilities that can positively impact the state’s economy,” he said.
Gobir revealed that the centre, which is one of only six horse game centres in Nigeria, currently has over 20 horses and will provide employment opportunities for indigenous sons and daughters of the state.
“We are strategically located just 10 minutes from the airport, making it easily accessible to everyone, we’ve been at other centres in Nigeria to know what is obtainable there and ensure we will introduce something new and of high standards,” he added.
The business mogul noted that the cost of acquiring a horse with good species is quite high, ranging from 10 million to 40 million naira, depending on the breed.
He assured that work is ongoing at the centre, with polo and horse tracks already created, and urged sponsors and investors to take advantage of the opportunity.
He said the university of Ilorin is already in partnership with the centre.