By Ewere Okonta
08037383019
www.ewereokontablog.org.ng
In a time when access to technology can make or mar one’s future, one man has refused to watch from the sidelines. Since 2018, Dr. Donald Peterson—philanthropist, nation builder, and Special Adviser to the Delta State Government on Entrepreneurship Development—has been on a quiet mission to rewrite the tech story of Ika Nation. And today, that story is getting louder, prouder, and deeply inspiring.
Let’s rewind a bit.
It all began in 2018 with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). While most were still debating JAPA strategies, Dr. Peterson rolled up his sleeves and committed his resources to sponsor eligible Ika youths through the IELTS journey. For three years—2018 to 2021—young people from Ika land walked into test centres, fully funded, fully prepared, and fully confident.
For some, it was a chance to get their own “national cake.” For others, it was a one-time meal. But for a determined few, it was the golden ticket. Today, their voices echo from Canada, the UK, and other corners of the world, all testifying to how one man’s quiet investment set them on a new path.
But Dr. Peterson wasn’t done.
Enter the Python Programming Learning Programme, run in partnership with the now-defunct College of Education, Agbor. From 2019 to 2021, over 150 Ika youths got their first taste of coding. Imagine it—young minds in Agbor writing the same lines of code powering billion-dollar companies in Silicon Valley. That was the dream. That was the drive.
Still, Dr. Peterson kept pushing the limits.
And then came the big one—the Techpreneurship Programme, currently in full swing at the University of Delta, Agbor (UNIDEL). Now, this isn’t your everyday tech bootcamp. This is the real deal. Digital Marketing and Design School have been fully woven into the 300-level curriculum. Data Analytics? It’s available to every UNIDEL student, regardless of department.
But wait—there’s more.
True to his inclusive philosophy, Dr. Peterson ensured that the programme isn’t limited to undergraduates alone. It extends to community youths across Ika land. Whether you’re a student, a tailor, or a graduate awaiting NYSC, there’s a place for you in this vision. The training runs in three-month cycles and ends with a certificate that could open new doors for its holders.
Now pause for a moment and take that in.
From IELTS to Python, from university classrooms to community halls—what we’re seeing is a deliberate, consistent effort to bridge the digital divide in Ika Nation. And not with noise or press conferences—but with action, consistency, and heart.
So, who is this man changing the narrative?
He is Dr. Donald Peterson, President and Founder of the D-Peterson Foundation, a philanthropic outfit with a laser focus on education, ICT development, and environmental sustainability. His style is simple: empower, equip, and exit the spotlight quietly. But the impact? Loud enough for all of Ika land—and beyond—to hear.
The verdict? It’s out. The testimonies? Countless. The dream? Alive and well.
And while the man behind the dream continues to wear his smile and deflect the praise—giving credit to God and his hardworking team—one thing is clear: the future of Ika Nation is no longer just hopeful; it is wired, coded, and connected.
The trumpet may not have sounded yet, but make no mistake—the revolution has begun.
And Ika Nation is here for it.
Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media. He is a member of #TeamPeterson. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.
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