By Ewere Okonta
08037383019
Ewereokonta20gmail.com
Agbor, Delta State – In a heartwarming display of generosity and unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, Dr. Donald Peterson, President and Founder of the D-Peterson Foundation, has made a bold investment in the future of young Nigerians. Over the weekend, Dr. Peterson awarded ₦200,000 each as seed capital to the ten graduates of the Erommaose Nwokoro Foundation (ENF) Skill Acquisition Programme, bringing his total donation to a remarkable sum of two million naira.
The gesture was announced during the graduation ceremony of the ENF’s intensive free skill acquisition training programme, where Dr. Peterson served as the Chairman of the occasion. The event not only marked the successful completion of the empowerment training but also became a celebration of hope, opportunity, and new beginnings for the ten young beneficiaries.
Founded by the philanthropic Benedetti Erommaose, the Erommaose Nwokoro Foundation (ENF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free vocational training and entrepreneurship development to youths, especially those from underserved communities. The Foundation believes in empowering young people with practical skills to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment.
Dr. Peterson, whose passion for human capital development is widely acknowledged, praised ENF for creating a credible platform for sustainable youth empowerment. As the Special Adviser to the Delta State Government on Entrepreneurship Development, his voice carries weight—and his actions speak even louder.
In his moving keynote address, Dr. Peterson stated:
“Today, we witness not merely a graduation ceremony, but a powerful testament to human potential unleashed through opportunity. Each of the graduates seated here before us represents a unique story of courage — a decision to reject passivity and embrace active participation in shaping their own destiny. That pivotal choice to enroll in this skill acquisition program marks the first victory we celebrate today.”
He emphasized that in a country where many people talk about empowerment but do little to create practical avenues for it, the ENF stands out as a model for authentic, grassroots-driven transformation. “We must move beyond tokenism. Real empowerment is about giving people the tools, the training, and the trust to create their own success stories,” he added.
Beyond this recent act of generosity, Dr. Donald Peterson has steadily built a reputation as one of the most proactive philanthropists in Delta State and beyond. Through the D-Peterson Foundation, he has provided scholarships to hundreds of students, sponsored tech boot camps and vocational programs, offered mentorship and business incubation for young entrepreneurs, and partnered with other organizations like ENF to scale up community development efforts.
The D-Peterson Foundation is driven by a clear mission: to develop young people into self-sufficient leaders who will not only lift themselves but also their communities. With interventions spanning across education, entrepreneurship, health, and leadership, the Foundation has become a lifeline for many aspiring youth across the country.
A key feature of Dr. Peterson’s approach is intentionality. He doesn’t just give handouts; he invests in people with potential and monitors their growth. The Foundation frequently tracks the progress of beneficiaries, offering follow-up support, mentorship, and access to larger networks of opportunity.
The ENF graduation ceremony served as another expression of that vision. Each of the ten graduands was not only trained for free but also received starter packs from ENF to begin work in their respective trades. Dr. Peterson’s seed capital further strengthens their launch into entrepreneurship, removing the common financial barriers that often cripple such ventures at the onset.
The beneficiaries of this year’s programme include:
- Okwubannego David Uchechukwu
- Okpe Joy
- Ogboi Sandra
- Nosa Orobosa Favour
- Omota Blessing
- Williams Emmanuella
- Apaokwueze Divinebreakthrough
- Eseoghene Festus
- Jolly Chioma
- Njowusi Ifeoma Gift
For many of these young men and women, this intervention is life-changing. “It feels like a dream. I’ve not only been trained in a skill, I’ve also been given the resources to take off. I am deeply grateful to ENF and Dr. Peterson,” said one of the elated beneficiaries.
The event was graced by an array of dignitaries from all walks of life, underscoring the importance of the occasion. Members of the Agbor Council of Chiefs were in attendance, including Chief Peter Idion (Adolor Dein), Chief Louis Usifo (Akpara of Agbor), Chief Kester Utebor (Dein Kanma), and Chief Leo Erere Ojemudia (Ekpe of Agbor). Their presence brought a touch of nobility to the event and reaffirmed community support for youth-focused initiatives.
As the ceremony ended with joy, dancing, and a renewed sense of purpose, it became clear that what transpired was not merely a graduation—but a handover of torches to a new generation of skilled, empowered, and inspired young Nigerians.
Dr. Donald Peterson and his D-Peterson Foundation remain at the forefront of this transformation—lighting paths where darkness once dwelt, and giving wings to those who once crawled. In a world hungry for hope and real change, this is what true leadership looks like.
Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media. He is also a member of #TeamPeterson. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.