Ochonogor, Dafinone, Waive  Charge Youths To Be  Ambassadors Of  Renewed  Hope  For MORE Agenda

The Managing Director/CEO of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC,  Chief Festus Ochonogor, has called on youths of the oil-producing communities in Delta State to be ambassadors of the Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State.

The call was contained in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Executive Director, Projects EDP, DESOPADEC, and Otota of the Ancient Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, who represented him at the 3rd Edition of the Oil Producing Areas Youth Summit.

The summit, themed "Building a Productive, Empowered and Sustainable Future for the Youth of the Oil Producing Areas" was held on Friday, October 2, at Unity Hall, Governor's Annex, Edjeba, Warri South Local Government Area.

Chief Ochonogor affirmed that youths are not only future leaders but are at the forefront of leadership today, and should jealously guard the solid foundation being laid by the present administration at both state and federal levels. He noted that economic progress all over the world is achieved through the resilience of its vibrant youth.

He commended the organizer for keying into the youth development vision of Governor Oborevwori and the focus of the DESOPADEC Board on youth development and empowerment.

"There is no better time for this 3rd Edition of the Youth Summit than now, as the country is bracing up for another general election in the next few months," he said.

He disclosed that the Commission is relentlessly pursuing programs targeted at youth development in its mandate areas, including DESOPADEC Skills Acquisition, prompt payment of bursary to indigent students, and many more.

Earlier, the convener of the summit, Comrade Owen Oghenero Edafe, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on DESOPADEC Matters, welcomed dignitaries, keynote speakers, and youths from the oil-producing areas to the epoch-making event. He urged them to stand firmly behind Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election to consolidate the achievements recorded so far.

"The youth will benefit more from this solid economic foundation being laid by our amiable Governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. More youth empowerment and sustainable job creation targeted at youth development will continue to be rolled out as we give our total support to this administration," he said.

He admonished the youths not to be swayed by current temporary economic challenges but to look at the bigger picture of total economic recovery that will be beneficial to all.

Also speaking, Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central in the Senate, commended the youths of the oil-producing areas for having faith in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and their transformative economic policies. He noted that many youth-focused programs, especially the Federal Government's NELFUND student loan scheme, should be holistically embraced, adding that most Delta youths are yet to tap into it.

He said the current administration will do more if given a second tenure in 2027.

In the same vein, many speakers, including Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, were unanimous in challenging the youths to be vanguards of the positive change being propagated by the current administration. They urged the youths to stand solidly behind all candidates of the APC in the 2027 general election.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to deserving personalities, including the MD/CEO of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor.

Several youth groups and dignitaries were represented at the summit, including Comrade Milton Samgboje, Chairman, National Youth Council, Delta State Chapter; Comrade Francis Obule, SSA Political to the Governor; APC Female Youth; Hon. Chief Peter Uviejitobor, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, represented by Ese Clifford Dick, Esq., Personal Assistant; Olorogun Alfred Mrakpor, CEO, Tatcha Farms Ltd; Chief Sir Igho Akpojotor; Comrade Victory Onomakporaro, Ekpan Youth Development Committee, among others.

By Ejememo Enoch Igho

×