DESOPADEC Steps Up Grassroots Drive In Ika, Targets Stronger Youth Empowerment
By GEORGETTE CHIDI
Commission Combines Empowerment Monitoring With Infrastructure Expansion
The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has stepped up its grassroots engagement in Ika Nation, combining closer monitoring of its Youth Empowerment Scheme with renewed efforts to complete its proposed zonal office in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area.
The twin initiatives formed part of recent activities led by the DESOPADEC Governing Board member representing Ika ethnic nationality, Hon. Cosmas Igbenije.
The engagements focused on bringing the Commission closer to communities and beneficiaries across Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas.
DESOPADEC’s approach reflects an effort to strengthen not only the delivery of empowerment programmes but also the structures needed to coordinate development interventions at the local level.
Focus on Youth Empowerment Beneficiaries
As part of the renewed engagement, the Commission conducted a familiarisation, screening and interaction exercise with beneficiaries of its Youth Empowerment Scheme in Ika Nation.
The exercise took place on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the APC Secretariat along Owa Okei Road in Boji-Boji Owa.
Beneficiaries joined APC chairmen, secretaries and youth leaders from Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas for the engagement.
Hon. Friday Okoh, popularly known as “Hero,” also attended the exercise.
The gathering created an opportunity for scheme beneficiaries and grassroots leaders to interact, review the programme and strengthen channels for communication, monitoring and reporting.
To improve coordination, Alika Onyekachukwu and Ndubisi Okafor emerged as coordinators for Ika South and Ika North East respectively.
Their roles are expected to create a closer link between DESOPADEC, local stakeholders and beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme.
Calls for Greater Accountability & Participation
Speaking during the engagement, the APC Chairman of Ika North East and Scheme Coordinator, Hon. Emeka Asiwe, expressed concern over what he described as low attendance despite prior publicity.
He stressed the importance of regular interaction with beneficiaries, arguing that closer engagement would strengthen coordination and accountability.
Similarly, the APC Chairman of Ika South, Comrade Frank Izekor, described the exercise as a proactive step and urged stakeholders to sustain the engagement.
Igbenije, meanwhile, called on beneficiaries to make productive use of the opportunities provided under the empowerment programme.
He urged them to demonstrate commitment and responsible participation.
According to him, the exercise went beyond a routine screening process.
Rather, he said, DESOPADEC intends to build a stronger structure for monitoring beneficiaries, improving communication and assessing the effectiveness of its interventions.
Agbor Zonal Office Takes Shape
Beyond youth empowerment, Igbenije also inspected the ongoing construction of DESOPADEC’s proposed zonal office in Agbor.
The inspection took place on Wednesday, August 19.
During the visit, he expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and reaffirmed his determination to push for the timely completion of the project.
According to him, the facility will serve as DESOPADEC’s operational hub in Ika Nation once completed.
The office is expected to bring the Commission’s activities closer to communities in Ika South and Ika North East.
It will also provide a base for coordinating development projects, youth empowerment programmes and other community-focused interventions.
The supervising engineer, Engr. Jude Adinkwu, assured Igbenije that work was progressing and that efforts were underway to complete the facility as quickly as possible.
Stakeholder Engagement Beyond DESOPADEC Projects
The Board member also used the visit to broaden consultations with other stakeholders in the area.
He met with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Ika South Branch, led by its chairman, Comrade Gerald Mahiagu.
Igbenije assured the union of his willingness to engage relevant stakeholders and promote inclusion and collaboration within his mandate area.
He also commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his administration’s commitment to infrastructure and development across Delta State, particularly in communities within DESOPADEC’s mandate.
The combined focus on youth monitoring, infrastructure and stakeholder engagement points to a broader attempt to strengthen DESOPADEC’s institutional presence in Ika Nation.
As the Agbor zonal office moves towards completion and the Youth Empowerment Scheme receives closer supervision, the Commission will face the next challenge of translating stronger structures and engagement into measurable benefits for communities and young people across the two Ika local government areas.
