Mr Okwudili Celestine Okwudili is the Chief Executive Officer OCO World limited, the bet9ja Super Agent in Nsukka, and vice Chairman Enugu Handball Association In this interview, the CEO discusses the cultural heritage of the Nsukka people and programmed events set to support the talented youths, Uchenna Ezeadigwe was there for News Echo Newspaper.
Sir, OCO world in recent years organized numerous programmes for the youths, can you throw more light on these events and how it has impacted in the society?
Our first event was called ‘Nsukka Talent Showcase’, which was scheduled to take place on 24th March 2020 but because of the corona virus pandemic the programme was postponed. Earlier, we started the OCO secondary school competition which comprises of all the schools in Nsukka and Enugu North inclusive.
We still have bet9ja five aside competition which we host every year for clubs, basically we identify talented soccer players and sign deal with them on contract basis. Currently, the Nsukka most beautiful girl pageant is set to hold on December 30, 2020, by his grace. Impacting on the society, I would say that the spirit of sportsmanship is awakening, peace and love also exist among these players. Also, some of the players have risen to better clubs because they were able to display their talent at the previous tournaments. The pageant show hopefully will project a lot of our beautiful maidens as well as our cultural heritage.
A lot of programmes have been mapped out for the youths in Nsukka and beyond, how does this help to assuage the level of unemployment in the state?
Before now in Nsukka local government we normally have a conducive atmosphere for any young man or youth. Then we had competitions among vibrant youths who are talented in one way or the other. But today the youths no longer derive joy, or compete in such as a manner as was done before. So OCO world over the last few years has taken it as a priority to revitalize those programmes aimed at identifying raw talents among them. We want to project Nsukka to the world, unemployment involves the youth and till today we understand that the youths has become lazy, depressed and jobless because no activity that can engage them to keep away from social vices. Even the parents, due to the economy of the country no longer afford to train their children in schools.
For this reason, OCO world is there identifying and supporting those special talented children who has what it takes to drive the society forward. For instance, the Nsukka Most Beauty Pageant has a contract deal of 2.5 million and a car with other benefits.
Is there any form of partnership and support from the Enugu state government, and what efforts do you think is most appropriate?
OCO definitely wants to partner with the state government because when we collaborate we tend to achieve greater things. We have been in touch with the state commissioner for tourism. What have been sustaining this particular ideology is my own personal income which should be used for my private upkeep but I decided to sponsor this because I feel for the unwavering youths.
“That a city is functional today is
because there are able bodied youths who contribute
positively to its development. The youths at the young
age are resourceful and energetic; they can do
so many things. It is all about what you have or can do?
We are looking out for a better Nsukka and that’s
why we want to assist them this period of their life
to harness their God given potentials. OCO world
is here to breach the gap by assisting and supporting
these people through skills acquisition, culture
and development. I encourage those youths out
there who are unemployed to take up vocational
skill acquisitions and training so as to
become productive member of the society.
The ones who have special gifts to come
out and speak out, we are here
to loan them listening ears and help them
in their career development”.
I call on the state government to invite non-governmental organizations and partner with them in programmes that will promote tourism development and culture of the Nsukka people. They are there to represent these youth in different dimension and for that reason their support and commitment is needed. Most importantly, the government has to provide veritable ventures in the area of agriculture. Nsukka has a special yellow pepper which cannot be found in most states. We also grow cocoa yam, vegetables and fruits. The land is very rich for cultivation but we lack basic training and machines to operate. Our youths are there suffering without job, so I urge the state government for urgent intervention and assistance.
The second edition of Nsukka pageant show is around the corner, what are the participants expecting this year?
First, the theme for the year’s editions focuses more on the culture of the Nsukka people. We are going to project to the world the uniqueness of this great Nsukka kingdom. Our heritage, what the world do not know about Nsukka, we are equally going to portray that to the world. There will be cooking competitions of local delicacies, fashion parades, among other things. For the participants, there is going to be in three categories, we have the winner which is the first runner up, the second runner up and the third runner up.
The winner goes home with a brand new Toyota Yaris, the second runner up will be going home with three hundred thousand naira only (N300,000) while the third goes home with two hundred thousand naira only (N200,000). These are the major things we have for the three runner ups, but for those who participated in the competition will have a special gift to go home with.
What advice do you have for the youths who have interest in showcasing their talents?
That a city is functional today is because there are able bodied youths who contribute positively to its development. The youths at the young age are resourceful and energetic; they can do so many things. It is all about what you have or can do? We are looking out for a better Nsukka and that’s why we want to assist them this period of their life to harness their God given potentials. OCO world is here to breach the gap by assisting and supporting these people through skills acquisition, culture and development. I encourage those youths out there who are unemployed to take up vocational skill acquisitions and training so as to become productive member of the society. The ones who have special gifts to come out and Speak out, we are here to lean them listening ears and help them in their career development. Finally, avoid any form of violence and wanton destruction of properties. My prayer is that we will have a united and peaceful nation where love leads with zero tolerance for crime and hunger.
