12 August 2024, Emonu-Orogun, Delta State
By Foster Akpore
As the world marks International Youth Day with the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” The Ejiro and Otive Igbuzor Foundation in partnership with the Palace of Priests Assembly is making strides in youth empowerment through its Orogun Youth Empowerment Summit (O-YES ’24).
The initiative, which began in Ugono-Orogun and continued to Aragba-Orogun, is now in its third location, Emonu-Orogun, out of five planned stops, is equipping young people with essential digital skills, life skills, and financial literacy to enhance their employability in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
The Summit facilitated by Foster Akpore, with support from Pastor Anthony Chukwuneme and Fidelis Onakpoma offers comprehensive training, in Digital Readiness, Graphics Design, Video Editing, Content Creation, and other life skills, empowering participants to harness digital technologies for personal and community development. The initiative aligns with the global recognition of youth as pivotal players in digital innovation, a key driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a seismic shift – which can only happen if we empower young people and work with them as equals,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, highlighting the critical role of youth in driving progress.
This year’s International Youth Day theme underscores the importance of digitalization in advancing sustainable development, with young people leading the charge in digital adoption and innovation.
Digital technologies are instrumental in advancing the SDGs, impacting at least 70 per cent of the 169 targets. The O-YES ’24 initiative reflects this by providing youth with the tools and knowledge to thrive in a digitalized world, thereby contributing to the global effort to achieve sustainable development.
With the training program already underway in its third location, the Orogun Youth Empowerment Summit is fostering a generation of digitally savvy young leaders ready to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. The Ejiro and Otive Igbuzor Foundation and Palace of Priests Assembly’s commitment to youth empowerment is a reflection of the belief that young people, when given the right opportunities, can be a powerful force for sustainable development, and so far, they have started taking responsibility in addressing the challenges of development in their various communities.
As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs draws near, the importance of empowering youth, particularly in underserved and low-income areas, cannot be overstated. The O-YES ’24 initiative is a shining example of how targeted efforts in youth education and digital training can pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.
The Ejiro and Otive Igbuzor Foundation/PPA, through her President and Founder remains dedicated to expanding the reach of this program, ensuring that young people across Delta State receive the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in the digital age.
“Anything I do must be focused on service to God and humanity. It must be focused on my own vision and mission in life. And my vision is a world where there is justice, equity, peace, and prosperity. And my mission is to touch lives, spiritually, politically, economically, socially, and knowledge wise. So in all these places that I have occupied, my focus is how to transform society”, Igbuzor said.