By Sunday Apah & Rejoice Ighoviroro
There was celebration in Olomu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, as Olorogun Samuel Oghotomo, Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Community Development, organised an empowerment programme.
Sixty carefully chosen beneficiaries each received ₦50,000. Twelve motorcycles were also given to deserving youths. The programme put Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda into practical action.
Community leaders, political stakeholders, youths, beneficiaries, and many indigenes of Olomu attended the event with joy and expectation.
It was more than a simple hand-out. It showed that the benefits of democracy should reach ordinary people at the grassroots.
In his speech, Oghotomo explained that the programme came from his desire to improve the welfare and economic life of his people. As their representative, he said it was his duty to always remember home and find useful ways to bring positive change.
The selection process was fair and inclusive. Six people were chosen from each community in Olomu Ward 1 to ensure every area benefited equally.
Thirty youths were carefully screened based on need and their potential to succeed in economic activities, not on political connections. This approach supported both existing households and the young people who form the community’s future.
Oghotomo advised the beneficiaries to use the money and motorcycles wisely. He stressed that the real value of any help depends on how carefully and hard the receiver works with it.
Even a modest amount can become the foundation for growth and self-reliance if managed well. His advice turned the event into a lesson on personal responsibility rather than a simple giveaway.
He also spoke kindly to those who did not receive support this time. He told them not to feel discouraged and promised that more opportunities would come in future phases. This openness helped keep peace in the community.
Chief Raymond Temisere, the LGA Publicity Secretary supported the programme by providing ₦60,000 worth of fuel for the motorcycles. This allowed the new owners to start using the bikes straight away for work.
The Executive Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Hon. Lucky Aweromre, was represented by Hon. Henry Gbejimor. The Chairman praised Oghotomo’s generosity and steady commitment to empowering people.
He said the programme showed real concern for citizens and predicted more attention to basic needs, which he called “stomach infrastructure.”
The APC Chairman of Ughelli South, Chief Edirin Ojays Ojigho, also thanked Oghotomo and urged other people of means to follow his example. He noted that personal achievements may be forgotten, but the good impact a person makes on others’ lives lasts as a true legacy.
The beneficiaries expressed joy and gratitude. They described the gifts as a clear show of love and commitment. They prayed for continued blessings on Oghotomo and asked that his ability and resources increase.
They also declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and expressed confidence that the party would win at all levels in the 2027 elections.
This programme fits into Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which focuses on Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.
By concentrating on community development, Oghotomo turns the Agenda’s goals into real results for ordinary people. Giving capital and motorcycles injects money into local economies, improves mobility for trade, and shows that no community is forgotten.
In rural and semi-urban parts of the Niger Delta, such support addresses youth unemployment and limited transport. Motorcycles are especially useful where public transport is scarce. They help people move goods, trade, and stay connected.
The fair selection process, based on need and potential rather than favouritism, sets a good example. It shows that resources can be shared openly and effectively.
The benefits spread further. Sixty households gain extra money and twelve young people gain transport. This increases local spending and trade, strengthening the community’s economy over time. It also shows younger people that careful use of opportunity can lead to progress.
Politically, the event strengthened the link between the APC and the community. The beneficiaries’ support for the party grew naturally from the help they received. This kind of loyalty lasts longer than temporary gifts.
Oghotomo’s work shows the duty that comes with public office. Access to resources brings the responsibility to use them for the common good. When this is done sincerely, it strengthens trust between leaders and the people.
The support from Chief Temisere, the local government representative, and the party chairman shows that success comes from teamwork. Different people joining resources and influence multiplies the impact.
As the event ended, the beneficiaries left with new tools for economic progress. The wider community of Olomu received a clear message: their needs matter, and the MORE Agenda reaches even the smallest places.
Olorogun Samuel Oghotomo has strengthened his reputation as a public officer who steadily works for grassroots development. His practical help offers a model for others in similar positions. In a time when people want real improvements rather than promises, programmes like this meet those expectations and challenge other leaders to do the same.
The Olomu empowerment programme will be remembered for its careful planning, fairness, and promise of future help. It shows how the MORE Agenda can work at the community level through dedicated officers.
As Delta State develops under Governor Oborevwori, such efforts form important building blocks that improve opportunities across the state.
In the end, Oghotomo’s initiative is about leadership that remembers its roots, resources used to help people thrive, and politics that turns power into service for ordinary citizens.
