By Chris Chikelue
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has appointed Nigerian veterinarian and entrepreneur, Dr. Terese Shadrach Akpem, as an ambassador to promote civic participation among young Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections. The investiture ceremony took place in Abuja on November 4.
Dr. Akpem, who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vet Konect Ltd., has announced plans to use the appointment to encourage young people to actively participate in the electoral process through a social media campaign tagged “Your Vote/ Your Voice/Our Future”.
The campaign, according to him, will feature a 60-second video challenge, inviting Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to record short messages pledging their commitment to exercising their voting rights and supporting peaceful electoral participation.
He explained that the initiative targets young Nigerians across the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory and the diaspora, with the aim of strengthening political awareness, promoting respect for democratic institutions and discouraging electoral violence.
The appointment comes as the NOA intensifies efforts to promote national identity, responsible citizenship and shared values. Dr. Akpem is expected to leverage his professional experience and networks to support the agency’s public orientation programmes.
He and his team at Vet Konect are collaborating with the agency, led by its Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, to advance the National Values Charter, National Identity Project and other initiatives aimed at promoting national consciousness.
Speaking on the appointment, Dr. Akpem described it as both an honour and a call to greater responsibility, pledging to extend the agency’s message to communities, particularly among young Nigerians.
With professional experience spanning veterinary medicine, livestock development and entrepreneurship, Dr. Akpem has also been involved in initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for young people and projecting Nigeria’s image internationally.
He called on youth organisations, student groups, entrepreneurs, professionals, civil society organisations and Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the campaign.
Chris Chikelue is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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