Sir Tonna Okei honoured in South Carolina as Camden proclaims African Unity Day

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

City of Camden, South Carolina, has honoured the President of the South Carolina Organization of African Unity (OAU-SC), Grand Knight Emeritus Sir Tonna Okei, Asoju Oba and Ikuku Oma, for his sustained commitment to promoting African unity, cultural understanding, community development and stronger relationships between Pan-African communities and public institutions across the state.

The recognition came during a courtesy visit by the leadership of OAU-SC to Camden City Hall, where Okei met with the Mayor of Camden, Senator Vincent Sheheen, Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan, Camden Police Chief Eddie Gardner, the Fire Chief, members of the Camden City Council and other community leaders.

The historic engagement provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss community relations, cultural understanding, public safety, economic development and ways of building stronger cooperation between African communities and government institutions.

As part of the occasion, the Mayor and City Council of Camden officially proclaimed August 17, 2026, as “African Unity, Culture, and Heritage Day” in the city.

The proclamation recognised Sir Tonna Okei and the South Carolina Organization of African Unity for their efforts to promote unity, mutual respect, security, cultural exchange and meaningful partnerships among Africans, African Americans, Caribbeans and people of African descent living in South Carolina.

The City also acknowledged the importance of Okei’s visit as an opportunity to celebrate Africa’s rich cultural heritage and contributions to society through cultural artefacts and meaningful interaction, while promoting gratitude, cooperation, understanding and mutual respect among residents.

The proclamation further embraced the vision of “a more United Camden”, describing a community where Black and White, African and American, young and old, rich and poor, and people of different cultural and social backgrounds can recognise their shared humanity, value one another and work together as one people and one community.

The city expressed appreciation to Okei for his continued efforts to promote cultural understanding, strengthen community relationships and create opportunities for partnership and unity throughout South Carolina.

‘The reason I am here is unity’

Speaking during the courtesy visit, Okei called for a stronger institutional partnership between the Pan-African community and the City of Camden, stressing that unity, inclusion and shared responsibility were essential to the continued development of the city.

He commended Camden’s leadership for receiving the delegation and expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to Africans and other people of African descent who live, work and raise their families in the community.

Okei conveyed fraternal greetings from Pan-African communities across South Carolina and reaffirmed OAU-SC’s determination to deepen relationships between African communities and government institutions.

“The reason I am here is simple: UNITY,”

Okei declared, while calling for the emergence of a more united Camden where people from different racial, cultural, economic and generational backgrounds could work together for the common good.

He stressed that members of the Pan-African community should not approach government institutions only when they need assistance or benefits, but should also be prepared to contribute meaningfully to the development, safety and prosperity of the communities where they live.

Quoting former United States President John F. Kennedy, Okei asked: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
He subsequently challenged the Pan-African community to consider what it could do together with the City of Camden to make the city stronger, safer, more prosperous and more inclusive.

Four areas of partnership

Okei proposed stronger collaboration between OAU-SC and the City of Camden in key areas, including community safety and youth engagement, economic development and entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange and tourism.

He said such cooperation would create opportunities for Africans and African Americans to work together while also strengthening the relationship between the community and public institutions.

According to him, the Camden engagement could represent a “new dawn” in the relationship between OAU-SC and the city, with both sides working together to build stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.

Building bridges between Africa and American institutions

The Camden visit represents another step in Okei’s broader campaign to strengthen relationships between South Carolina’s Pan-African population and public institutions.

In July 2026, he led OAU-SC in a series of courtesy engagements with government and community leaders across South Carolina, where the organisation presented a 10-point agenda focusing on community relations, cultural inclusion, economic opportunities, youth development and institutional cooperation.

The initiative has positioned OAU-SC as an important bridge between African communities and American institutions, with emphasis on dialogue, civic participation, cultural appreciation and mutually beneficial partnerships.

Okei’s community leadership has also extended to cultural diplomacy and programmes designed to celebrate African heritage.

In 2024, he played a prominent role in the South Carolina Pan-African community’s Jollof Rice Competition, an initiative that celebrated African culture while creating opportunities for interaction with diplomatic and community leaders.

The event featured Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Hajia Alima Mahama, and provided an avenue for cultural engagement and discussions around bilateral relations and African-American connections.

‘A beloved community’

Concluding his address in Camden, Okei expressed optimism that the courtesy visit and the city’s proclamation would usher in a stronger relationship between OAU-SC and Camden.

He called on residents, community organisations and government leaders to work together towards what he described as the “Beloved Community” — a community built on unity, service, mutual respect, understanding and shared responsibility.

He stressed that the development of a truly united community required participation from everyone, irrespective of race, nationality, age, social status or cultural background.

The occasion consequently went beyond a routine courtesy visit, becoming a significant moment of recognition and cultural diplomacy as Camden formally celebrated African unity, culture and heritage while honouring an African community leader whose work continues to promote stronger relationships between South Carolina’s diverse communities and public institutions.

Pan-African Leaders Join Delegation
Prominent Pan-African leaders who accompanied Okei on the delegation included Dr. Mrs. Toyin Okei, Yeye Asoju Oba; Chief Mrs. Grace Inyangetor, Mkpouto 1 of Nto Nsek; Dr. Chief Sir Innocent Ntiasagwe, Akaekpushi Onwa 1; Dr. Chief Mrs. Charity Ntiasagwe; and Nze Okey Chigbu.

Earlier, during the delegation’s visit to the Kershaw County Sheriff, Okei and his team were joined by Dr. Jide Balogun, a prominent physician and respected member of the African community in Kershaw County.

The involvement of community leaders, law enforcement officials and government representatives further underscored the importance of the engagement in strengthening trust and cooperation between the Pan-African community and public institutions.

The visit concluded with prayers and blessings for the City of Camden, Kershaw County, the State of South Carolina, the United States of America and Africa.

The South Carolina Organization of African Unity thereafter reaffirmed its commitment to unity, service, cultural understanding, civic participation and constructive engagement with government and community institutions.

For Okei and the OAU-SC leadership, the Camden proclamation is not only a recognition of African heritage but also a call to action — for Africans and people of African descent to build bridges, contribute to their communities and work with public institutions towards a more united and prosperous society.