A group led by an international security consultant based in the United States of America, Dr. Sylvester Okere, has launched a football academy in Imo state.
The football academy which is run by OSSYDEF was inaugurated on 1st January, 2026 at Obibi Ezena in Owerri North LGA of Imo state in collaboration with the Imo state Football Association.
OSSYDEF, an acronym for Okere Sylvester Soccer and Youth Development Foundation, runs two training centers – one at Obibi Ezena located in Owerri North LGA of Imo state and the other at Oforola, located in Owerri west LGA.
The academy features youths between the ages of 14 to 18 years and is in partnership with Strategic Overseas Ltd, a security company based in the United States of America.
Speaking during the inauguration on 1st January, 2026, the founder of OSSYDEF, Dr. Sylvester Okere, who was represented by the CEO of Forest Media, Barrister Izu Osigwe, said the mission of OSSYDEF is “to nurture raw talent and provide a professional platform for youth excellence through rigorous training and strategic sponsorship”.
Speaking further at the occasion, Okere said “OSSYDEF is a non-governmental organization dedicated to leveraging the transformative power of sportsmanship to empower the teeming youth within the Owerri North/West Federal Constituency and beyond.”
Dr. Sylvester Okere
“Our core objectives are built on talent discovery, educational support through sports scholarships, and moral mentorship—steering our youths toward productive ventures and away from social vices”, Okere said.
Also speaking at the event, an official of the Civil Society Organization on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), Ambassador (Prince) Emeka Mgbemere, urged the youths to make good use of the opportunity provided to them by OSSYDEF.
He commended the Chairman of OSSYDEF, Dr. Sylvester Okere, for his vision and also for taking a bold step towards youth empowerment in Imo state.
Addressing journalists shortly after the event, the Director of Communications at OSSYDEF, Mr. Ebere Inyama, said one outstanding benefit which the players would get from their enrolment in OSSYDEF is that they stand a good chance of being engaged by big football clubs overseas.
“ OSSYDEF has what it takes to showcase talented youth footballers to the world and we believe that through such exposure, some football clubs based in Europe and America will make their choice of players from OSSYDEF”, Inyama said.
“We are not just working to steer youths away from engaging in social vices, we are also working hard to ensure that our youths who are good in playing football gets properly trained and afterwards, secure opportunities to earn a living”, he added.
The event featured the demonstration of skills by the players, who were drawn from Owerri North and Owerri west Local Government Areas.
A high point of the occasion is the presentation of medals and cash gifts to six of the best participants.
Also present at the event are the members of the Board Of Trustees of OSSYDEF, including Mr. Venantius Agim (Vice Chairman), Mr. Ikenna Anuma (secretary), Barrister Hope Eke ( Legal Adviser), Barrister Izu Osigwe (Legal Adviser) and others.
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