Jonathan, Adebayo, Ozekhome make case for new blueprint to unlock Niger Delta’s full potential

…Nigeria Cannot Be Poor — Prince Adebayo

…Says Nation Sitting on “Hidden Treasures”

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a united national effort to unlock the full economic potential of the Niger Delta, stressing that the region remains central to Nigeria’s stability and future prosperity.

Speaking in Abuja at the unveiling of The Hidden Treasures, authored by Deacon Chris Iyowaye, 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.

He emphasised that development thrives only where stability exists and urged stakeholders to prioritise dialogue, equity and enhanced opportunities for young people. Jonathan also called for stronger institutions, modern infrastructure, and investment in education and technology.

“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,” he said.

Adebayo: “Nigeria Is Too Blessed to Be Poor”

In his remarks, the Chief Launcher and 2023 SDP Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said Nigeria has no justification for poverty.

Describing Nigeria as abundantly endowed, he said the nation’s leaders have failed to identify and develop its vast 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,” Adebayo said.

He described the Niger Delta as a symbol of Nigeria’s global economic significance, noting that people worldwide have built fortunes for over a century from resources buried in the region. He argued that true transformation will only come when Nigeria stops depending on external solutions and begins to harness its own assets.

“What we lack is not wealth but the vision to find and develop it,” he added.

Ozekhome: “This Is More Than a Book — It Is a Movement”

Delivering the keynote address through 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 praised Iyowaye’s book as “a literary goldmine,” “an economic forecast,” “a development blueprint,” and “a vision for national rejuvenation.”

According to him, the Niger Delta must no longer be seen merely as a revenue extraction zone but as a strategic growth engine capable of driving Nigeria’s entry into global economic competitiveness. He urged policymakers to adopt the book’s recommendations on digital innovation, security reforms and inclusive development.

Nwachukwu: “Nations Are Not Rebuilt by Spectators”

Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major General Ike Sanda Nwachukwu (rtd.), 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 argued that Nigeria’s challenges persist because those who should lead conversations and solutions remain passive, noting that silence and fear cannot replace civic engagement.

Iyowaye: “The Niger Delta Is a Reservoir of Brilliance and Untapped Potential”

Author of The Hidden Treasures, Deacon Chris Iyowaye, said the book is the product of nearly two decades of research and firsthand engagement across the Niger Delta. He stressed that the region’s true value extends far beyond crude oil.

“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 said the book lays the foundation for the New Crete Oil Foundation, which will support clean water access, women’s agricultural training and leadership education for young people.

“If we do not invest in our people, we have no moral right to speak of transformation,” he said.

He also noted that global economic realities demand that Nigeria prepare for a post-oil future, as hydrocarbons are increasingly classified as “dirty energy.” He revealed that over 60 percent of the world’s critical mineral resources lie in Africa, with a significant portion found in the Niger Delta.

“The tragedy is not the absence of wealth, but our failure to develop it,” Iyowaye added.

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