OAU-SC strengthens ties with South Carolina leaders as Okei concludes three-day courtesy tour

Stanley Ihedigbo

South Carolina Organization of African Unity (OAU-SC), under the leadership of its President, Grand Knight Emeritus Sir Tonna Okei (Ikuku Oma), has concluded a successful three-day series of high-level courtesy visits to key government officials, law enforcement authorities, community leaders and stakeholders across South Carolina.

The strategic engagements were aimed at strengthening relationships between the Pan African community and the broader South Carolina society, while promoting unity, mutual respect, public safety, cultural understanding, inclusion and sustainable community development.

The three-day visit also underscored OAU-SC’s commitment to building constructive partnerships with public institutions and community stakeholders as part of its broader vision of creating an inclusive and progressive society anchored on trust, equitable partnerships, cultural exchange and shared responsibility.

Explaining the motivation behind the engagements, Okei said the visits became necessary against the backdrop of heightened tensions and widespread, though unverified, perceptions that government policies could be taking an increasingly anti-immigrant direction.

According to him, the responsibility of leadership requires proactive engagement with relevant authorities to ensure that members of the Pan African community are protected, respected and treated with dignity.

“As a leader, I felt it was my responsibility to ensure that my people are protected, treated with dignity, and accorded the respect they deserve,” Okei said.

One of the major engagements during the visit was a meeting with Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, where the delegation discussed ways of strengthening cooperation in the areas of public safety, community policing, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

The discussions emphasized the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment where all residents, including Pan Africans and other immigrant communities, can live, work and contribute meaningfully to society.

Both sides agreed on the need for continuous dialogue and stronger partnerships between law enforcement agencies and immigrant communities as effective tools for promoting trust, understanding and public safety.

The OAU-SC delegation also paid an inaugural courtesy visit to Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan. During the meeting, President Sir Tonna Okei congratulated Sheriff Boan on his election as Chairman of the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association.

The engagement provided an opportunity for both parties to explore areas of collaboration between law enforcement and the Pan African community, particularly in promoting security awareness, civic participation, community engagement and mutual understanding.

Distinguished physician, Dr. Jide Balogun of Kershaw County, was also present at the meeting, further demonstrating the growing support for OAU-SC’s community-focused vision and its efforts to build bridges across professional, cultural and institutional lines.

The third and final day of the courtesy tour featured a landmark engagement with the Mayor, where discussions focused on strengthening institutional relationships and developing sustainable platforms for community advancement.

The meeting provided an opportunity for OAU-SC and other community stakeholders to explore practical ways of promoting inclusion, strengthening trust and ensuring equitable partnerships between government and the diverse communities that make up the region.

One of the most significant cultural moments of the visit was the presentation of the traditional Staff of Office to the Mayor as the Adolor of the Pan African Community.

The presentation symbolized the Mayor’s acceptance as a trusted friend, ally and partner of the Pan African community and represented a commitment to strengthening the relationship between the community and the city’s leadership.

The ceremony attracted several notable community and professional leaders, including renowned neurologist Chief Dr. Ogburu (Miri Oma Abriba), Chief Executive Officer of Midlands Neurology and Pain Associates; Sir Edgar Martinez, President of Edgar Homes; and Sir Omar Contreras, a respected leader within the Mexican community.

The leaders expressed their readiness to work closely with the Mayor and other stakeholders in advancing the collective interests of Columbia’s diverse communities and promoting an environment where people from different cultural backgrounds can live and prosper together.

A major highlight of the engagement was the presentation of a comprehensive 10-Point Agenda by the OAU-SC President, Grand Knight Emeritus Sir Tonna Okei.

The agenda contains practical proposals designed to strengthen community relations, promote cultural inclusion, expand economic opportunities, support youth development and deepen collaboration between public institutions and multicultural organizations.

The proposals are also aimed at creating a more effective framework for engagement between government and diverse communities, while encouraging initiatives that can improve social integration, economic empowerment and community participation.

In response, the Mayor welcomed the 10-Point Agenda and assured the delegation that the proposals would receive careful consideration.

He further indicated that recommendations falling within the scope of his administration would be considered for implementation.
The meeting also featured a unique cultural presentation designed to celebrate Africa’s rich linguistic and religious heritage.

Chief John Ehikwe (Ukpe Chukwu Munye), through his nephew, President Sir Tonna Okei, presented the Mayor with a translated copy of the Lord’s Prayer in the Ika language on behalf of the Pan African community.

The symbolic gift was described as an expression of cultural pride and a demonstration of the importance of preserving African languages and heritage while encouraging cultural appreciation, interfaith understanding and peaceful coexistence.

The three-day courtesy tour is seen as another significant step in OAU-SC’s growing efforts to promote constructive community diplomacy and strengthen relationships with government institutions, law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, business leaders and multicultural organizations across South Carolina.

Under the leadership of Sir Tonna Okei, OAU-SC has continued to emphasize cultural diplomacy, community empowerment, civic participation and strategic engagement as key instruments for promoting the interests and wellbeing of the Pan African community.

The organization has also consistently advocated for stronger partnerships between immigrant communities and host societies, emphasizing that integration and peaceful coexistence are best achieved through open dialogue, mutual respect and shared responsibility.

Speaking after the conclusion of the visits, President Sir Tonna Okei reaffirmed OAU-SC’s commitment to serving as a bridge between the Pan African community and public institutions.

He stressed that sustainable progress could only be achieved when communities and government institutions work together in an atmosphere of dialogue, trust, inclusion and mutual respect.

Okei expressed optimism that the relationships strengthened during the three-day engagement would lead to concrete initiatives capable of improving community relations, enhancing public safety, expanding opportunities for young people and promoting greater cultural understanding.

The successful conclusion of the courtesy visits marks another milestone in OAU-SC’s mission to promote African unity while contributing positively to the social, cultural and economic development of South Carolina.

The organization said it would continue to pursue strategic partnerships and constructive engagements that advance the collective interests of the Pan African community and strengthen its contribution to the wider society.