Abuja: Former Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, emphasized the critical role of the Niger Delta in Nigeria's economic prosperity, describing the region as a 'hidden treasure' with vast but underutilized resources due to prolonged poor leadership. Adebayo made these remarks in Abuja during the unveiling of 'The Hidden Treasures: An Exposition on the Rich Resources and Opportunities of the Niger Delta', authored by Mr. Chris Iyovwaye, Chairman of the Wellmann Group of Companies.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adebayo stressed that the wealth of the Niger Delta requires a deliberate effort to uncover, likening the process to digging for treasure. He pointed out that decades of ineffective leadership have left much of the region's potential unexploited. He highlighted the abundance of human and material resources in the Niger Delta, emphasizing that no indigene should consider themselves poor.
Adebayo identified three pathways to unlocking the region's potential, which include individual initiative, community action, and government intervention. He shared his personal connection to the region, stating that his family has benefited from it for over a century and he found personal fortune through marriage. He urged Nigerians to value the country's endowments and highlighted the structured diversity by God, which leaves no room for excuses for underdevelopment.
He further claimed that the wealth of the Niger Delta surpasses that of many developed nations, asserting that it is '18 times all the productivity of America since 1776'. Adebayo warned against leaders focused on surface wealth and rent-seeking, emphasizing the region's historical significance from the Royal Niger Company to the Oloibiri oil discovery. He stressed the importance of the people as the region's most valuable resource and the electoral significance of having support from the Niger Delta in presidential campaigns.
Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, chairman of the event, highlighted the importance of restructuring, urging regions to invest in their economic potentials. On insecurity, he called for full support for the military to protect the nation's territorial integrity.
Constitutional lawyer Prof. Mike Ozekhome, represented by Prof. Ezekiel Abalagba, described the book as an 'economic goldmine' and advocated for the Niger Delta to shift from extractive dependence to productive ambition. He emphasized the need for transparent governance, improved infrastructure, and economic diversification beyond crude oil, suggesting investments in agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, petrochemicals, and technology.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by Dr. Mike Ogiadome, emphasized the Niger Delta as the country's economic hub, advocating for its full development, including a deep-sea port to attract investment. He recommended the book to industrialists and foreign investors as a guide to the region's opportunities and potential.
Chris Iyovwaye, the book's author, noted that the Niger Delta's story is often misrepresented and emphasized the book's exploration of the region's vast potential and strategies for utilizing its resources to drive national prosperity. He shared his vision for a sustainable and prosperous Niger Delta, aiming to guide policymakers, investors, and communities in unlocking the region's hidden wealth.