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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a united national effort to unlock the full economic potential of the Niger Delta, insisting that the region remains central to Nigeria’s stability and future prosperity.
Jonathan, represented by his former Chief of Staff, Dr. Mike Ogiadomhe, said Nigeria can no longer afford to allow the Niger Delta to remain trapped in cycles of neglect, environmental degradation, and political inconsistency.
Speaking at the unveiling and public presentation of The Hidden Treasures authored by Deacon Chris Iyowaye on Friday in Abuja, he said that,
“The Niger Delta must not remain trapped in old challenges. We must work together governments, investors, and communities to build a region that is stable, prosperous, and fully integrated into Nigeria’s development agenda,” Jonathan said at the launch of Hidden Treasures authored by Deacon Chris Iyowaye in Abuja.
He emphasised that development cannot thrive where instability persists, urging stakeholders to prioritize dialogue, equity, and opportunities for young people. Jonathan also stressed the need for stronger institutions, modern infrastructure, and sustained investment in education and technology.
Chief Launcher and former SDP Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, delivered a blunt message: Nigeria has no justifiable reason to be poor. Speaking at the same event, Adebayo said the country is richly endowed, but its leadership has failed to identify and develop the nation’s abundant human and natural resources.
“Nigeria is too blessed to be poor. Every square inch of this country contains treasure human, mineral, solid, liquid, surface and subterranean. It is impossible for a country with this level of endowment to be poor,” he said.
Adebayo described the Niger Delta as a symbol of Nigeria’s global economic relevance, noting that for over a century, people worldwide have built fortunes from resources buried in the region. He insisted that true transformation will only occur when Nigeria stops relying on external solutions and begins harnessing its own assets.
“Some treasures appear hidden because leadership has been blind to them. What we lack is not wealth but the vision to find and develop it,” Adebayo said.
He commended Deacon Iyowaye for producing Hidden Treasures, describing it as “a national service” that redirects national consciousness toward Nigeria’s own limitless potential.
Delivering the keynote address through the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ezekiel Abalaba, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, said the future of the Niger Delta and Nigeria depends on innovation, economic inclusion, environmental justice, and digital transformation.
He described Iyowaye’s work as far more than a book, calling it: “A literary goldmine,” “An economic forecast,” “A development blueprint,” and “A vision for national rejuvenation.”
“This is more than a book; it is a movement an economic vision, a moral song, and a call to rise to the height of our world-leading potential,” he noted.
Ozekhome argued that the Niger Delta should no longer be viewed merely as a revenue extraction zone but as a critical growth engine capable of driving Nigeria’s entry into global competitiveness.
He urged policymakers to draw on the book’s recommendations in digital innovation, security architecture, and inclusive economic reforms.
Chairman of the occasion, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Major General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu, urged Nigerians to move beyond complaints and actively participate in rebuilding the country.
“If everyone talking about the country’s problems refuses to get involved, who then is responsible for changing the system? Nations are not rebuilt by spectators,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s crises persist because those positioned to lead conversations and solutions remain passive, adding that silence, fear, or constant whining cannot replace meaningful civic engagement.
Meanwhile, Deacon Chris Iyowaye, author of The Hidden Treasures, said the book emerged from nearly two decades of research and firsthand engagement across the Niger Delta. He said the region’s value extends far beyond crude oil, describing it as “a reservoir of brilliance and untapped potential.”
“Beyond oil and gas, there are treasures solid minerals, marine resources, agriculture, and human capital waiting to be responsibly harnessed for the good of our people,” he said.
Iyowaye revealed that the book also lays the foundation for the New Crete Oil Foundation, created to support clean water access, women’s agricultural training, and leadership education for youth.
“If we do not invest in our people, we have no moral right to speak of transformation. This project is not just a publication it is a commitment to shaping a better future for the Niger Delta,” he added.
