Veteran broadcaster and media executive, Mr. Lawrence Okpewho, has been appointed moderator for the 2026 edition of Bel Dialogue, the annual public policy engagement platform organised by Bel Media Consult Limited, publishers of Ndokwa Reporters and The Brief.
The event, scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2026, at David’s Event Centre, Anwai Road, Asaba, will focus on the theme, “Democracy That Works: Bridging the Gap Between Votes, Results and Institutional Accountability,” with former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hon. Mike Igini, serving as Chairman of the Occasion.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on behalf of the Bel Dialogue Advisory Board by its Secretary, Enebeli Emmanuel Ochonogor, MNIPR, FCISM, for the Chairman of the Board, Pharm. (Dr.) Paul O. Enebeli, who said Okpewho’s wealth of experience in broadcasting and public communication makes him well suited to moderate this year’s audience-participatory dialogue.
Okpewho is one of Delta State’s most accomplished broadcasters, having retired from the Delta State Broadcasting Service (DBS) in 2020 as Deputy General Manager and Head of Programmes after 35 years of distinguished service.
He began his broadcasting career in 1985 at the then Radio Bendel and steadily rose through the ranks through professionalism, creativity and dedication to excellence. During his career, he produced and presented more than 30 radio programmes, including the widely acclaimed indigenous programme, “Na So We Seam,” which aired continuously for 26 years and became one of the longest-running radio programmes in Delta State.
A graduate of Mass Communication, Okpewho holds a Diploma from Auchi Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Mass Communication and a Master’s degree in Communication Management from Delta State University, Abraka. He has also benefited from specialised professional training organised by the BBC and the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA).
Following his retirement from public service, he served as General Manager of Sleek FM, Agbor, before assuming the same position at Kruzz FM, Asaba, where he continues to provide leadership in broadcast management while mentoring the next generation of media professionals.
Bel Dialogue is a non-partisan civic engagement platform that promotes informed conversations on governance, democracy, leadership and sustainable development through an interactive format that encourages active participation by policymakers, professionals, civil society organisations, the media and citizens. The 2026 edition is expected to bring together stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to examine practical ways of strengthening democratic institutions and improving public accountability.
