A group of prominent Okpanam Indigenes from within and outside the community has unveiled the Okpanam Social Development Initiative (OSDI), saying it is with a view to generating forward-looking ideas, strategies and policies that would support and enhance sustainable development in Okpanam.
Speaking during the inaugural meeting, held at the town hall, its chairman, Mr. Patrick Okwuekwu, said the idea was conceived a with the singular purpose of contributing meaningfully to the progress and development of the community. Okwuekwu, who noted that the value of the initiative was anchored on integrity, transparency and professionalism, said that the initiative was designed to offer constructive and well-considered recommendations to promote stability, harmony and progress. He said that the organisation would collaborate closely with the Okpanam Community Development Union (OCDU) and other key stakeholders in advancing initiatives that drive structural, economic and social development across the community.
In his goodwill message, the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, represented by Chief Ugo Asibelua, commended the group for coming together to form the Okpanam Social Development Initiative and described the initiative as strategic in driving development to the community.
The Principal of Okpanam High School, Mr. William Dickson, and Princess Ifeanyi Osafiana admonished members to foster unity and love among themselves in their quest to impact positively on their people.
Delivering a lecture on “Career Focused Youth in Nigeria and the African Environment”, the President-General of Okpanam Community Development Union, Mr. Robert Ogonenwe, said that career focus among Nigerian youth is driven by three inter-related related factors, which include urbanisation and aspirational shift, digital penetration and educational expansion.
He said that career-focused youths are not waiting for systems to change but building economies based on skills, innovation and digital connectivity, adding that success depends on the inter play of personal agency, private sector innovation and responsive public policy.
Earlier, one of the foundational members, Mr. Andrew Mordi, whose lecture was titled “Bridging Generations for a Stronger Community”, called for a greater synergy between the elders and the young people in the society, stressing that effective partnership would bring greater unity.
