Director of Administration and Finance at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Oghenekome Okpobor has endorsed the Positive Impact for Women and Youth Development Initiative (PIWYODI) for championing a grassroots agricultural revival in Delta State, especially through rice farming.
Receiving a delegation of the NGO in Warri on Monday, Okpobor, described the group’s work as a turning point for women, young people, and the state’s food security ambitions.
“This initiative is not only timely but commendable. With the right support, it can transform lives, create jobs, and boost sustainable development in Delta,” he said.
The Isoko-born leader urged PWYODI to broaden its engagement with community and political leaders across the state, naming Hon. Prince Godwin Ogorugba, Dr. Joseph Onojaime, and Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko as potential allies who could strengthen the mission.
PIWYODI, established three years ago, focuses on agro-allied empowerment, climate action, education, and health. Its flagship program is rice cultivation, with operations spread across Delta’s local governments.
National Coordinator, Mrs. Martha Onadeko, said the group sees rice as a gateway to prosperity. “Rice farming, if fully tapped, holds unlimited opportunities for Delta and Nigeria as a whole,” she explained.
State Coordinator, Hon. Marry Samuel, added that PIWYODI had already cultivated over 20 hectares of rice now nearing harvest. She highlighted the need for processing equipment and transport support to scale operations.
“Our vision is practical empowerment—machines, land, and markets that women and youth can truly benefit from,” Samuel said, while thanking Okpobor for his encouragement.
With rising concerns about food inflation and youth unemployment, the collaboration between PWYODI and Delta stakeholders is being hailed as a bold step toward building local solutions for national challenges.