DESOPADEC Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Empowerment in Delta’s Oil-Producing Areas

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Festus Ochonogor, has reaffirmed the Commission’s strong commitment to youth empowerment and capacity development across its mandate areas.

Chief Ochonogor made the affirmation on Friday, October 3, 2025, in an address delivered on his behalf by the Executive Director of Projects, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Youth Summit held at the Governor’s Office Annex, Edjeba, Warri.

According to the DESOPADEC boss, the future of every society rests on the shoulders of its youth—particularly those within the oil-producing communities—and the Commission has consistently prioritized their development through strategic initiatives.

“We have invested enormous resources in youth development programmes such as the DESOPADEC Skills Acquisition Programme (DSA), annual bursaries for indigent students in tertiary institutions, among other empowerment projects,” Ochonogor stated.

He lauded the summit’s theme — “Keying the Youth of Oil Producing Areas of Delta State into the Renewed Hope and M.O.R.E. Agenda for Sustainable Development” — describing it as timely and in alignment with the vision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Participants at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Youth Summit held in Warri

“Governor Oborevwori’s administration has demonstrated its commitment to youth empowerment through targeted initiatives in skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, and the promotion of a digital innovation ecosystem. These efforts complement President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition Nigerian youths for global competitiveness,” he added.

Ochonogor emphasized that DESOPADEC remains dedicated to equipping young people with modern, market-driven skills across vital sectors such as oil servicing, agribusiness, ICT, renewable energy, and construction.

Also speaking at the event, the Member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Ejiro Waive, urged youths in oil-producing areas to shun violence and embrace peace as the foundation for sustainable development.

Earlier, the convener of the second edition of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Youth Summit, Comrade Owen Oghenero Edafe, said the summit aimed to unify and reposition the youths of oil-producing communities as partners in progress.

He appealed to the youths to key into the M.O.R.E. Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and channel their energy into education, entrepreneurship, and skills acquisition rather than ethnic rivalry, drug abuse, or other anti-social behaviours.

Other notable speakers at the event included: Comrade Milton Ediri Sangboje, President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (Delta State Chapter), Comrade Isaac Garry, Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade Joel Emani, Isoko Development Union Youth Wing (Worldwide), Comrade Uduogwu James Ojeke, Ndokwa Neku Union, Comrade Okotete Peter, Itsekiri Youth Council, Comrade Ughere Blessed, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Youth Wing (Worldwide), Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director, Business Development, Nexim Bank, Barr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Director-General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Hon. Ejiro Tommy Jammani, Commissioner for Environment, and Chief Peter Oviejitebor Okagbare, Commissioner for Oil and Gas.

They all called for peace and cooperation among youths in Warri and its environs, stressing that unity and purposeful engagement are key to advancing development in the Niger Delta region.