OSSYDEF Launches Football Academy In Imo

 

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 1^st 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 1^st 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.

 

 

Governor Uzodinma signs N1.4 trillion 2026 appropriation bill into law

 

Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has signed the N1.4 trillion 2026 appropriation bill into law which he christened the “Budget of Economic Breakthrough”,  presented to as budget proposal to the  Imo State House of Assembly on December 22, 2025.

Governor  Uzodinma said that it is a “reflection of effective democratic governance”, and commended the collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government.

He commended members of the Imo State House of Assembly for what he described as their “diligence and swift handling of matters of public importance, saying that the ₦1.4 trillion budget is designed to stimulate economic growth and improve the standard of living of Imo residents.

He stressed the need for prudence and revenue generation to ensure effective implementation of the budget. According to him, the administration remained committed to completing ongoing infrastructure projects across Imo State, particularly road construction and public facilities, before the end of his tenure.

The governor acknowledged the fiscal reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which he said have created opportunities for states to enhance revenue generation. And assured the people of Imo State of his continued dedication to responsible governance and service delivery in 2026.

He said that the 2026 budget is expected to support small and medium-scale enterprises, attract local and foreign investment, and strengthen revenue-generating agencies, all to boost economic development.

 

Imo Set To Implement Owerri Master Plan

The Imo state government is set to implement the Owerri Master Plan in accordance with the provision of the laws of Imo state and the federal republic of Nigeria.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State, on Open Spaces and Parks Management, Hon. Mike Akwiwu, made this known when the Association of land speculators paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently.

“The people should know that there is existing master plan for Owerri Capital Territory, and approved gazetted layout plans, which is a very good guide, before any development within the stipulated areas”, Akwiwu began in his address.

“It is very unfortunate that some investors were victims of distortions and encroachments of Owerri master plan because they did not get adequate clearance from the Town Planning Department or any other government department of town planning that are in charge of implementing the master plans and the layout plans respectively”, he continued.

” In accordance with the government policy of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (3R) led by Distinguished Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma , the Governor of Imo State, will no longer tolerate the abuse and distortions of the Master Plan and layout plans,” he added.

Speaking further, Akwiwu said it is absolutely wrong for people to erect illegal structures without approval of any kind on; “railway lines, green verges, road verges, government open spaces and retention basins.”

“Encroachment into government properties are highly prohibited therefore the owners of those illegal structures without approval should carefully remove them on or before the end of November, 2025,” he warned.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, HRH Eze Chima Nkpado commended the Imo State Governor for his performances, implementation and sanitation of the urban areas in Imo State.

He used the opportunity to appreciate the governor of the state for the appointment of Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu as Commissioner, Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, and also Hon. Mike Akwulwu as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Open Spaces and Parks Management.

Also speaking, Chief Ezinna Tony Opara thanked the governor for the landmark achievements across the state and prayed that Almighty God will continue to lead his administration.

 

 

Imo – state born Sylvester Okere appointed W.A.D ambassador to Nigeria

 

A security expert based in the United States of America, Dr. Sylvester Okere, has been appointed as the World Association of Detectives (W.A.D) ambassador to Nigeria.

In a goodwill message posted on Facebook on 2 May, 2025, Okere, who is the Founding President of Strategic Groups USA LLC (parent company of Strategic Overseas Ltd.) and president of Champion Investigations & Security Consulting Services LLC, expressed gratitude to the Executive Board of W.A.D for their confidence in his leadership.

“I would like to officially announce my appointment as the W.A.D. Ambassador to Nigeria.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed to represent the world's eldest association of its kind, established in 1925. WAD is gearing to celebrate its 100th years of existence by September 2025.

“I extend my thanks and gratitude to WAD President Wes Bearden, Esq, and the Executive Board of the World Association of Detectives.

“Thank you for your expressions of confidence in my leadership”, the message read.                                      

Speaking during an interview with journalists shortly after his appointment, Okere said "there is no association in the world  where you would find industry mentors or have direct access to peers from over 89 countries of the world other than the World Association of Detectives".                                 

Okere’s appointment as W.A.D ambassador to Nigeria is a testimony to the fact that he has distinguished himself a worthy member of the association.

One of the goals of this appointment is to expand the door of friendship, collaboration, and business opportunities to peers of security and investigative industry across Nigeria and the African continent.

 

Formed as a joint venture by the combined membership of the World Association of Detectives and the International Secret Service Association, W.A.D is the longest established and largest association of its kind in the world. It is a Global Alliance of Investigators & Security Professionals with origins dating back to 1921.

With membership in over 89 countries around the world,  W.A.D aims to promote and maintain the highest ethical practices in the profession of private investigators or security services and to eliminate unreliable, incompetent, and irresponsible members of the profession.

W.A.D will be celebrating its 100th years anniversary at the Drake Hotel in Chicago from 2 – 7 September 2025.

Sylvester Okere hails from Obibi Ezena in Owerri North LGA of Imo state.

 

Imo Govt holds security summit for youths

 

The Imo State Government has organized a one day security summit for youths of the state with the aim of discouraging them from indulging in anti-social activities.

The summit which was anchored by the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt, featured heads of various security agencies in the state, was also targeted at tackling youth related violence.

Addressing the participants, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, said that the summit is also aimed at sensitizing the youths on the need for peaceful environment for sustainable development.

The Imo State Government, through the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt, has organized a one day security summit for youths of the state with the aim of discouraging them from indulging in anti-social activities.

The summit, which featured heads of various security agencies in the state, was also targeted at tackling youth related violence.

Addressing the participants, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, said that the summit is also aimed at sensitizing the youths on the need for peaceful environment for sustainable development.

He pointed out that no investor will like to stake his money in an unsecured environment.

The commissioner asserted that the only way youths can be gainfully employed is when there is relative peace and friendly environment that will attract investors.

He advised the youths to shun violence and embrace the opportunity provided by the government in the area of skill acquisitions, as well as talent hunts, through which youths can expose their ingenuity in sporting activities.

Ukaegbu added that there are many programmes lined up by the state government for the youths, which he maintained will enhance youth development and discourage them from indulging in crimes.

In his speech, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, represented by ACP Linus Nwaiwu, said the task of the security agencies will be less difficult if youths shun anti social behaviors and join in fighting crime.

He maintained that everybody is a stakeholder in the area of security.

Speaking also, the Commanding Officer, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, General I.M. Abbas, stressed on the importance of civic responsibility in nation-building.

He remarked that civil orderliness can only be obtained when the civilian populace, mostly the youths, begin seeing themselves as major stakeholders in fighting insecurity.

Abbas also pointed out that it is not possible for security agencies to be everywhere at the same time, saying crime can be prevented when everyone is engaged.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 10th Governing Council of Imo State University, Rev. Fr. P. A. Ogbonna, harped on the need for youths to be closer to God as the only way to think positively. Ogbonna expressed optimism that the summit will yield positive results.