The Delta State Government, under the administration of Sen. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, resolved to strengthen the state’s talent development effort to combat the declining oil revenue and emphasize the vision of a ‘Stronger Delta’. Hence a talent development summit was organised on March 11th, in Asaba, Delta State.
The effort focuses on maximising Delta state’s comparative advantage, which, beside crude oil, lies in the amazing depth of talent within its indigenes – as evident in the number of entertainment, enterprise and sports icons that have emerged from the state within the past for (4) decades.
Tasked with that overall objective, the new Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Talent Development, Ogusbaba Akpobome Ogude, organised the summit, themed “Accelerating Delta State’s Economic Growth through Talent Development and Enterprise”.
The summit sub-themes were handled by smart speakers and panelists comprising Chude Jideonwo, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Amanju Pinnick, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Mudiaga Clement, Alibaba, Omawunmi Yusuf, Bovi Ugboma, Ufoma McDermont, Richeal Oniga, Emma Gray, and Felix Akugha. The sub-themes were indexed as topics for speakers and panel discussions. This was, of course, done to create a broader focus that will help the over 5,000 youths in attendance find a balance amidst the flood of perspectives and opinions.
The sub themes include, The Role of Technology & Media in Commercializing and Formalizing Talents, Market Driven Approach to Deploying Talent, How to Create Opportunities where None Exist by Leveraging Personal Talent, Networking & Talent Visibility, Talent & Reputation Management: How Young People Can Get to the Top and Stay at the Top; The Future of the Fashion Industry in Africa and the Opportunities Available to Young Stylists, Global and National Opportunities Available to Sports Talent, Brains & Talent: The Best Route to the Top, Can Talent Survive without Formal Education?, Where Lies the Future of Delta State’s Competitiveness, and Is Talent Marketing A New Area of Hope for Young People in Nigeria?