Dr. Festus Goziem Okubor, Chief Strategist to the Delta State Government, has accepted an invitation to chair the 2026 Annual Conference and 6th Lecture Series of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, at David’s Event Centre, GRA, Asaba, Delta State.
The conference, beginning at 11:00 a.m., will focus on the theme, “Democracy Under Pressure: Electoral Integrity, Security Challenges and Media Accountability in Nigeria,” bringing together media professionals, political leaders, government officials, academics and other stakeholders to discuss challenges confronting Nigeria’s democratic development.
In his letter of invitation, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Dn. Chijioke Williams Ugbolue, mnipr, and the Secretary, Comrade Josephine Omodior, said Okubor’s wealth of experience in politics, public administration, public policy and governance informed the invitation.
The Forum has also requested him to deliver the opening address and provide perspectives on electoral integrity, security challenges and media accountability, particularly the responsibilities of political institutions, the media and other stakeholders in strengthening democratic values and public confidence in governance.
Okubor’s public service career includes serving as Chairman of Ika North East Local Government Council, Owa-Oyibu, in 2002; the first State Director of Protocol at Delta State Government House in 2003; Commissioner for Special Duties; Commissioner for Information; and Commissioner for Health. He later served as Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, and Chairman of the Governing Council of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.
He has also served as Chief Strategist to successive Delta State administrations, including the present administration of Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, bringing decades of experience in political strategy, executive coordination, public policy and governance to his current responsibilities.
The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori is expected to attend the conference as the Special Guest of Honour.
Other invited participants include government officials, political leaders, security chiefs, media executives, leaders of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as students of Political Science, Mass Communication and related disciplines.
The DOPF Annual Conference and Lecture Series provides a platform for critical engagement on democracy, governance and media responsibility.
This year’s gathering is expected to examine the role of credible journalism, electoral accountability and institutional responsibility in addressing the pressures confronting Nigeria’s democratic process.
