ISOPADEC Youth Summit: Orlu Youths Endorse Uzodimma for Senate …Commission Restates Commitment to Equipping Young People for Economic Independence

The Managing Director of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), Chief Austin Onyedebelu, has reiterated the commitment of the Commission to empower youths from oil producing communities throuh entrepreneurship, innovation, digital skills, agriculture, education, vocational training, scholarships, grants and other sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Chief Austin Onyedebelu

Onyedebelu stated this while addressing participants at a One-day Youth Summit organized by ISOPADEC to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day, held on Wednesday, at Rockview Hotel, Owerri.

The summit, themed “Empowering Youths for Sustainable Development: Innovate, Lead and Transform,” brought together youths from oil producing communities across Imo State, government officials, representatives of Federal Government agencies, development partners, traditional and community leaders and other stakeholders.

The ISOPADEC Boss said youth development remains a strategic priority of the Commission, stressing that the greatest resource of any society is its human capital.

He explained that ISOPADEC is committed to building the capacity of young people, connecting them to opportunities and supporting them to become self-reliant, productive and economically viable.

Onyedebelu said the Commission would continue to partner with the Federal and Imo State Governments, Government Agencies, Development Partners, United Nations agencies, private-sector organizations and other institutions to bring meaningful opportunities closer to young people in the oil-producing communities.

He listed the Commission’s areas of focus to include agriculture and agribusiness, ICT and digital skills, entrepreneurship, vocational and technical training, scholarships, grants, leadership development and exchange programmes.

Calling for stronger partnerships among ISOPADEC and Federal Government, Agencies, Development Partners and International Organizations, Onyedebelu hailed the Chief Executive Officers, Federal Government agencies who attended the summit, describing their presence as a demonstration of commitment to youth development.

He emphasized that such healthy partnerships would enable ISOPADEC to leverage existing national programs and make them accessible to youths in the oil producing areas.

Onyedebelu appealed to the United Nations and its agencies to deepen collaboration with the Imo State Government and ISOPADEC in areas of youth employment, digital skills, climate resilience, healthcare, agricultural development, entrepreneurship grants, education, scholarships, leadership development and international exchange programmes.

The highlight of the summit was the endorsement of the Executive Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, by the participating youth for Orlu Senatorial District for 2027 elections, with them expressing confidence in his leadership and development initiatives.

The youth cited what they described as the Governor’s commitment to youth empowerment, infrastructure development, skills acquisition, digital transformation, economic advancement and improved opportunities for young people across Imo State.

They praised the Governor for appointing Chief Austin Onyedebelu as Managing Director of ISOPADEC, describing the appointment and the Commission’s youth-focused initiatives as evidence of the administration’s commitment to inclusive development.

The Vote of Confidence and endorsement were formally moved by Comrade Okorie Dennis Ozor and seconded by the Niger Delta Critical Stakeholders Forum, represented by Prince Wisdom Ezinwa Nwauwa.

Nwauwa assured the Governor and ISOPADEC management of the continued support and cooperation of youths across the oil-producing communities.

The youth further appealed to the Governor to continue to support programmes that would provide them with relevant skills, employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, access to finance and sustainable means of livelihood.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Governance, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, urged the youth to take advantage of the Skill-Up Imo Programme, noting that digital skills are increasingly important in the global economy.

He expressed the willingness of the programme to partner with ISOPADEC to train youths in digital skills and equip them to establish businesses and take advantage of opportunities in the digital economy.

As Commissioner for Youth and Talent Hunt, Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu eulogized ISOPADEC for organizing the summit, encouraging youths to develop innovative and creative ideas that would contribute to the development of Imo State.

With the DG of National Automotive Design and Development Council, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, represented by Engr. Abdulmalik Onuwe Saka and DG of the National Directorate of Employment Silas Agara, represented at the event, expressed their agencies’ readiness to collaborate with ISOPADEC in providing skills acquisition, vocational training and employment opportunities for youths.

The summit ended with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to work together in creating sustainable opportunities for young people and moving them from potential to purpose, productivity and prosperity.