By Austin Ogwuda
Outspoken proud Anioma son, a renowned Social Crusader and Activist, Chief Chris O.O. Biose (Ode-Uri) says that Okpanam Community in Oshimili North local government area of Delta State, Nigeria, parades outstanding individuals who have excelled in various fields of human endeavour.
He, however, noted that the endowment is not sufficient to achieve massive development except the community adopts the Group Intelligence (GI) model to grow capacity.
Biose, who is the Chief Executive Officer CEO of Bold Publishers Limited, Asaba, and popularly called ‘Obidient Daddy’ within the political circle stated this while delivering a Paper on Tuesday, at a Symposium held at Okpanam City Hall as part of the activities marking the ongoing Okpanam Day Celebrations.
The Symposium is tagged: ‘Community Leadership , Character Erosion and Social Challenges: A Symposium for Okpanam’s Future’, organised by Okpanam Community Development Union (OCDU).
His words: “Okpanam is blessed with outstanding individuals of great achievements in various fields of human endeavour. Like most Nigerian communities it also boasts of a vibrant and overflowing youth population.
“It is a microcosm of Nigeria which is replete with individual intelligence but lacks Group Intelligence (GI). This refers to the structure of private and social thinking about the world, about society and public affairs.
“Pervasive human suffering in the country is evidence of the fact that academic qualifications, high political posts and private wealth are necessary but not sufficient to achieve development measured by improved quality of life.
“Nigeria”, Biose went on, “is a place where, in most cases Individual Intelligence is applied to frustrate and checkmate group objectives, thereby depleting rather than replenishing the group.
This produces the ironical situation when the whole is less than the sum of its parts.
“Group Intelligence applies to families, Clubs, Communities and indeed any organisation that is oriented to the achievement of specific goals. They all need synergic power.
“I firmly believe that if the traditional institution of Okpanam work in cooperation with Okpanam intellectuals, political and economic elite as well as OCDU (Okpanam Community Development Union), voluntary organisations, youth bodies and the Diaspora, Okpanam will unleash a powerful force for sustainable development in terms of building a prosperous and peaceful society that works for all”.
Also at the Symposium, Reverend Father Emmanuel Ofili highlighted the need for forgiveness, effective governance and youth empowerment to drive sustainable development in Okpanam.
The panel discussion featuring esteemed Panelists tackled pressing issues such as traditional leadership, social challenges as well as character erosion, fostering a deeper understanding of the community’s complexities.
Earlier the Symposium commenced with an opening prayer said by Dr. Christopher Nwayalani, followed by the breaking of the kola nut by HRM Dr. Mbanefo Michael Ogbolu, the Ugo-Ani (Traditional Ruler) of Okpanam Kingdom, while Mr. Robert Ogonenwe, President of Okpanam Development Union (OCDUN), delivered the closing remarks. Ogbueshi Innocent Unchibuolu, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) expressed gratitude to attendees and organizers as well.
*Activities marking the Okpanam Day Celebrations continue
