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TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP KEY TO OKPE NATION’S PROGRESS – DR AKPO

Renowned education consultant, Dr Evans Igho Akpo, has emphasized the critical role of transformational leadership in bringing about institutional and social change in Nigeria, particularly in the Okpe Nation. He made this call while delivering a paper entitled ‘Transformative Leadership for Okpe Nation: Shaping a Future-Ready Community’ at the 95th founders’ day celebration of the Okpe Union. According to Akpo, the Okpe Nation faces a complex interplay of challenges and opportunities that underscore the urgent need for transformative leadership to chart a prosperous and sustainable future. He identified specific challenges facing the Okpe Nation, including inadequate funding and infrastructure in education, poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. “We must remember the wisdom of our fathers: whether Orhue, Orhorho, Evreke, and Esezi. Our houses may differ in names, faces, and challenges, but like every loving father with many children, unity and tactful affection are keys to keeping the family together,” Akpo said. He advised Okpe indigenes to learn to forgive those who openly opposed them, saying “Forgiveness is our highest position, and it is the true strength of leadership.” Akpo also called for the rediscovery of the collaborative spirit that once made Okpe kingdom a model in regional governance. The education consultant emphasized the need for decisive action against inadequate educational infrastructure, lack of learning resources, and scarcity of tertiary institutions in Okpe Kingdom. He advised political leaders in Delta State to champion curriculum reform to integrate vocational skills, critical thinking, digital literacy, and the preservation of Okpe language and culture. Akpo also stressed the importance of engaging the youth as future leaders and integrating diaspora talents into national development plans. “The Okpe Nation requires the collective effort and commitment of its entire people, guided by transformative leadership principles,” he said.