Okpobor drives MORE Agenda, empowers 50 fashion Entrepreneurs in Isoko North

The Executive Director, Finance and Administration on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Oghenekome Okpobor, FIMC, FHR, has driven the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the grassroots with the empowerment of 50 fashion designers and aspiring entrepreneurs in Isoko North.

The empowerment exercise which took place on Wednesday, 16th September, 2026 at his country home in Iyede, attracted community leaders, political stakeholders, government representatives and beneficiaries drawn from across the Local government area, where he presented 50 VODI Direct Drive Sewing Machines to support their businesses.

Speaking during the presentation, Chief Okpobor said the initiative was designed to provide practical tools to strengthen productivity and improve family livelihoods, while aligning with the state government’s drive for skills and enterprise development.

According to him, genuine leadership must have a human face and go beyond offices, speeches and promises to translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.

 “Leadership must go beyond offices, excellent speeches and promises. Leadership must have a human face. What we are doing here today is not business as usual. We are investing directly in people, businesses and family livelihoods,” he said.

While appreciating Governor Oborevwori for creating the enabling environment for people-oriented initiatives, he noted that the era of handing out envelopes should give way to sustainable empowerment.

“I sincerely appreciate our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who has given me the enablement to do what I am doing today. This empowerment is in line with the MORE Agenda. For me, the era of simply handing envelopes to beneficiaries should give way to investing in businesses. If you give someone money today, it may finish. But if you give that person a productive tool, you have given him an opportunity to create value and earn repeatedly,” he said.

He further charged the beneficiaries to see the machines as a rare opportunity to grow, support their families and help others around them, adding that the initiative is only the first phase.

He also disclosed that similar interventions would be extended to hairdressers, barbers, welders and other skilled entrepreneurs across Isoko North and Isoko South in the coming months, even as he also presented two Sienna buses to the APC Executive Committees of Iyede Ward 1 and 2 to boost grassroots mobilization.

Meanwhile, he called for sustained support for the development initiatives of the Federal and State Governments, stressing that sustainable development requires cooperation between government, leaders and the people.

The event was attended by former Chairman of Isoko North LGA, Chief Philip Adheke; APC House of Assembly candidate, Chief Frank Esiwo Ozue; Secretary, Isoko North Council, Barr. Ovie Umukoro; Executive Assistant to the Governor, Chief Emmanuel Erezih; Hon. Emmanuel Ogeh; APC Women Leader, Isoko North, Mrs. Endurance Ibru and other political leaders and stakeholders.

By Evelyn Obibi-Assay

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