The Imo State Orientation Agency, as part of its core mandate at inculcating into the citizenry positive attitudes, has recognized and honored a 95-year-old bicycle repairer, Pa. Festus Okere, a native of Umuowa town in the Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.
The award presentation took place at Pa. Okere’s workshop at Umuowa on Friday July 11, 2025. Speaking at the occasion, the Director-General of Agency, Dr. Ethelbert Okere, said that Pa. Okere was being honored because he is a role model for the youth having steadfastly practiced a skill he acquired as a young man. Dr. Okere decried the dwindling interest of youths in acquiring skills, which he said is an unfortunate development that has led to the scarcity of skilled workers such as mechanics, tailors, air conditioning and refrigerating technicians, etc.
The Director-General further noted that the event was in furtherance of an ongoing program of the Agency to encourage skill acquisition among the youth and in keeping with the Skill-Up Imo Programme of the Shared Prosperity administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma. He said the Agency has identified individuals across the state who have sustained themselves with the skills they acquired as youths, adding that similar recognitions will be extended to such individuals in due course.
In her remarks, the Chairman of Ngor-Okpala Local Government Council, Mrs. Chika Ibekwe, applauded the Imo State Orientation Agency for the initiative which, she said, is worthy of emulation. The Council Chairman emphasized the importance of skill acquisition describing it as a pathway to self-relance and sustainable livelihood. “A man of 90 something years still practicing the trade he acquired a youth shows that skill acquisition is the way. Education is important but no matter the level of education you acquire, youths must endeavor to acquire skills because that’s the only thing nobody can take away from you”, Mrs. Ibekwe said.
The Traditional Ruler of the Nguru-Umuowa Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Dr. Eme Njoku, who was accompanied by his cabinet members, described Pa. Okere as an inspiration for the members of the community and urged the Agency not to relent in its effort at reorientating the youths towards the growing imperative of skill acquisition in the present-day global economy. A visibly elated Pa. Okere thanked the staff members of the Agency and recalled that he started his bicycle-repairing career at the age of 14, adding that it was through it that he trained and educated all his seven children among whom is a Catholic Priest, Very Rev Fr. Canice Okere, who was present at the occasion.
