Paul Ego Commends Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr for Sustained Empowerment of Deltans

By Queen Stephanie Odiete Ikanone

Hon. Paul Ogheneochuko Ego, former Special Assistant on Community Development to the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, has commended Mr Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr (Onowu as he is popularly called) for his sustained and impactful empowerment programmes targeted at youths and grassroots entrepreneurs across Delta State.

Ogheneochuko Ego made the commendation in reaction to recent empowerment initiatives carried out under the Sheriff Jnr Care Foundation, describing them as consistent, people oriented, and reflective of a long term commitment to community development rather than short term publicity gestures.

According to Paul Ego, Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr has, over the years, demonstrated a clear understanding of the socio economic challenges confronting young people and small scale traders in Delta State.

He noted that empowerment initiatives that combine youth development, economic inclusion, and community engagement are essential for building a stable and productive society.

The most recent initiatives included youth focused interventions through sports, as well as economic empowerment for petty traders across multiple local government areas.

Ego described the initiatives as well coordinated and impactful, noting that they addressed both social engagement and livelihood support.

As part of the youth empowerment efforts, 10 cars were presented to outstanding youths at the grand finale of the Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr Invitational Soccer Tournament held in Osubi.

The football tournament brought together teams from different parts of the state and concluded with Uvwie Local Government Area emerging champions after defeating Okpe Local Government Area.

The competition, organised by the Sheriff Jnr Care Foundation, attracted a large turnout of sports enthusiasts, community leaders, and youths, turning Osubi into a centre of celebration and unity.

The presence of notable sports personalities further highlights the importance of sports as a tool for youth engagement and talent development.

Paul Ego described the tournament as a strategic investment in youth potential, noting that sports based empowerment helps promote discipline, teamwork, and positive social interaction while offering young people alternatives to crime and social vices.

Beyond sports, Ego also highlighted the economic empowerment component of the foundation’s interventions, particularly the disbursement of over ₦170 million to 150 petty traders across Okpe, Sapele, and Uvwie local government areas.

The financial support, distributed under the MORE Cash Empowerment Programme, saw two beneficiaries receive ₦15 million and ₦10 million respectively, while 148 others received ₦1 million each to support and expand their small businesses.

According to Ego, such interventions directly strengthen local economies by supporting traders who serve as the backbone of community markets.

He noted that petty traders, including market women, food vendors, and small scale merchants, play a critical role in sustaining households and neighbourhood economies, and that empowering them has a multiplier effect on economic stability.

Paul Ego further observed that the Sheriff Jnr Care Foundation’s empowerment programmes extend beyond financial grants, covering areas such as education, health, business development, and career advancement.

He described this approach as holistic and sustainable.

Ego concluded that Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr’s consistent empowerment of Deltans over the years reflects a genuine commitment to service and social responsibility, urging other well meaning individuals to support initiatives that promote youth development and economic inclusion across Delta State.