By Michael Ilaya
The Guest Speaker and Managing Director of the Independent Newspapers Limited, Mr. Steve Omanufame, interrogating the lecture topic for the conference, ‘Purposeful Leadership: A Tool for Economic Empowerment and Political Advancement’ has said responsible , effective leadership is a powerful tool for economic development and empowerment of a people. as it plays a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of communities.
Speaking further during the Ozoro Progress Union (OPU) National Delegates Annual Conference held between 24th – 25th October, 2025 in Mercy Hall, CMD Off Shangisha/Magodo, Opposite Motoways by Tollgate Bus Stop, Ikosi , Lagos , Mr. Omanufame emphasized that apart from the benefits of purposeful leadership playing a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of communities, it also creates a vision, establishes stable institutions, and invests in human capital, which together build a foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth.
“Effective leadership has proven to translate resources into opportunities, thereby enabling individuals and communities to improve their financial well-being”
Citing the case of Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore pragmatism, Omanufame , insisted Leadership could contribute to economic emancipation, as leadership provide direction, enhances entrepreneurship, citizenship empowerment that is driven by team work, adding that “The development of modern Singapore is attributed to his pragmatic leadership. Lee was a stern advocate of pragmatism, stating that he was not enamoured with ideology but instead with what works”.
“For Lee ‘the ultimate test of the value of a political system was ‘whether it helps that society to establish conditions which improve the standard of living for the majority of it’s people”
The guest speaker, Omanufame, catalogued the challenges confronting Ozoro as a kingdom to include lack of power supply, perennial flooding, mixing kingdom leadership with politics among other banes against the development of the kingdom.
He stated that one of the panaceas to improving the leadership in Ozoro include tapping on the experiences and expertise of the sons and daughters of kingdom and to shun politicizing the Ozoro developmental issues.
He added that “In our community we have had our own Lekuan Yews. Indeed we have had a couple of them like Ovie Orokpokpor who contributed to the human capital development of our community by attracting the establishment of a secondary school, Notre Dame College in 1957”.
“In the political sphere, Chief Francis Spanner Okpozo stands out. Though a deputy speaker in the then Bendel State House of Assembly, he was able to bring tertiary education to Isoko land by the establishment of Bendel State Polytechnic Ozoro, which has now transformed to a University – Southern Delta University, Ozoro”.
“Mr. Frank Ogeh, who worked with the then Midwest on the Water Board was also said to have attracted establishment of the Water Board in Ozoro, making the community to be the first in Isoko land to have pipe-borne water”
“For us to realize the innate potential of our community and it’s people, there should be an effective leadership that can navigate challenges and inspire transformative challenges”, and that the leaders should embrace strategic vision and planning for economic and infrastructural development and investing in quality education, training and healthcare, which will in turn creates a more robust and skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and productivity.
The guest lecturer stated how leadership provide sustainable development to include infrastructural development, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, effective governance and accountability, and that “weak or self serving leadership can hinder economic empowerment and contribute to a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment”.
Highlighting the related consequences , Omanufame stated that poor leadership will always lead to poor governance, adding that “lack of vision can lead to economic instability and ultimately hamper development efforts”.
Earlier, declaring the conference open, HRM Barr. Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo, Ibuka 1, Ovie of Ozoro kingdom commended the host for the high level of hospitality, sued for the rein of love, peace and unity.
Furthermore, the Ozoro Monarch while expressing his desire for a fruitful outcome of the conference, enjoined delegates to be truthful in their deliberations in interrogating issues.
In his opening address, the President General of Ozoro Kingdom, Odio Berkeley Eloviano Asiafa firstly saluted the resilience of the delegates for their sustainable efforts in building bridges of unity and peace, particularly the overwhelming attendance to the conference in Lagos.
He noted that the achievements made so far in his administration, especially in security in Ozoro kingdom is due to the collaborative efforts of all the organs, including the security outfits in the kingdom.
“On the security situation in Ozoro, I’m proud to inform you that our kingdom is very peaceful. This was achieve through the proper coordination and synergy that now exists among the various security outfits, both local and national”.
The PG, Asiafa therefore sued for peaceful coexistence amongst indigenes of Ozoro in both at home and in diaspora adding that “Today we are here gathered as an indivisible and formidable people, with common identity , heritage, destiny and unity of purpose”.
Speaking also at the event, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, enjoined Ozoro and isoko people to galvanise the spirit of oneness.
He expressed his reservation against the bane of underdevelopment the isoko has been subjected and still undergoing, attributable to the worrisome trend of backbiting and pull-him-down syndrome among the isoko people .
Highlights of the event include the conduct of election wherein the sitting Chairman of Chairmen, Mr. Francis Ogba and the Secretary, Adm. Owigho Onomuere J. were returned unopposed while the election of other executive members was kept on hold.
Others include the issuance of awards to deserving personalities including HRM Barr. Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo, Ibuka 1, Ovie of Ozoro kingdom, Odio Berkeley Asiafa, the President General of Ozoro kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, the Chairman of the event, Mr. Francis Ogba, the Chairman of Chairmen of the delegates body, and a cultural dance that entertained the delegates.
Present at the conference were all the representatives of the 69 branches of the delegates body, all the past Presidents-General of the OPU, all the past Chairmen of the delegates body, OPU Women group from Lagos branches among other dignitaries.
