A former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has said the Niger Delta region was one of the most valuable, but underutilised assets, adding that years of leadership challenges had limited the region’s potentials.
Adebayo stated this Friday in Abuja during the public presentation of the book, The Hidden Treasures: An Exposition on the Rich Resources and Opportunities of the Niger Delta, authored by the chairman of Wellmann Group of Companies, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye.
According to the ex-presidential candidate, the region is endowed with vast human and natural resources that require deliberate and sustained effort to unlock.
He said every treasure required digging, stressing that no indigene of the Niger Delta should consider themselves poor.
Adebayo identified individual initiative, community participation, and government’s intervention as the three critical pathways for fully harnessing the region’s opportunities.
He added that the Niger Delta possessed a level of wealth capable of driving national development, saying its potential “far exceeds that of many developed nations.”
He cautioned leaders against superficial management of national assets or policies that weaken local economic control, and emphasised that the people remain the Niger Delta’s most important resource – creative, intelligent and culturally rich.
He also noted the region’s strategic relevance to national politics and economic stability.
A former Foreign Affairs Minister, Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (retd.), said the country had no reason to be afraid of restructuring, as all regions possessed resources that could support sustainable development.
He called on Nigerians to continue to support the Armed Forces in confronting security challenges, noting their commitment to safeguarding the nation.
Reviewer of the book and human rights lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, represented by Prof. Ezekiel Abalagba, described the book as a “practical guide” for repositioning critical sectors in the Niger Delta.
He called for transparent governance, improved infrastructure, and economic diversification into agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, petrochemicals and technology.
He also emphasised environmental restoration and human capital development.
Also speaking, former President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Mike Ogiadome, reiterated that the Niger Delta remained Nigeria’s economic hub and should receive long-term investment, including the development of a deep-sea port to attract international investors.
He recommended the book as a strategic resource for policymakers and development partners.
Author of the book, Dr. Chris Iyovwaye, said the work sought to correct long-standing misconceptions about the region by providing insights into its wealth, development challenges and pathways toward a sustainable and prosperous future.
