Okpobor Hosts Delta South Youth Summit Team, Reassures Isoko Students on DESOPADEC Bursary

The Executive Director Finance & Administration on the board of DESOPADEC, Chief Kome Okpobor, on Monday, 29 September 2025, hosted two key delegations at the Commission’s headquarters in Warri.

He first received the Organising Committee of the forthcoming Delta South Youth Summit, and later, a delegation from the National Union of Isoko Students (NUIS), addressing both youth empowerment and bursary disbursement challenges during the day’s engagements.

When the Youth Summit Committee, led by Comrade Ede Hyacinth, presented their plans, Chief Okpobor commended their dedication and pledged full support. He recalled how Hyacinth’s original proposal resonated deeply with him, aligning with Governor Oborevwori’s developmental agenda.

“The purpose of this summit is to sensitize our youths, and I am glad it is finally taking shape,” he remarked. He also urged the committee to sustain momentum beyond the summit, to protect and promote the administration’s gains across Delta State.

Later, NUIS representatives led by President Comrade Efedhoma Shelly, raised concerns over the DESOPADEC bursary allocations to Isoko students.

Chief Okpobor clarified that of the 1,000 Isoko students shortlisted, only three had not yet been paid due to discrepancies in their bank account details. He affirmed that he personally liaised with the bank to resolve those issues and reassured the union that all valid candidates had been paid.

He also apologized to Isoko student executives who were omitted and pledged to personally disburse their bursaries to honor their contributions.

Chief Okpobor stressed transparency in the bursary process, clarifying that the shortlisting is handled by the Social Services department, not his office. Mr. Louis Ajie, DESOPADEC’s Director of Finance and Accounts, added that payments are strictly tied to the official list, and that the large number of applications often exceeds available allocations, hence not every applicant can be included. He explained that ethnic group allocations are proportionate to “production quantum,” which reflects oil-producing output.

To symbolize their appreciation, the Youth Summit committee presented him with custom merchandise, while the Isoko students handed him an award recognizing his leadership and commitment to student welfare. The summit, under Okpobor’s sponsorship, is poised to be a signature event for youth across Delta South.