FG backs Niger Delta Economic Summit, focuses on youth empowerment

The Nigerian government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has shown strong support for the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit (NDEIS) held in Rivers State. The summit, organized by KenEva Consult Ltd and Ken-Rich Global Consult Ltd, aims to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities in the region.

This initiative comes as the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, expresses his commitment to leveraging the abundant human capital and productive population in the state to ensure that youths have access to livelihood opportunities.

The governor made this assurance recently in Port Harcourt during the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit, organized by KenEva Consult Ltd and Ken-Rich Global Consult Ltd.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Ordu, the governor expressed his delight that such platforms are being championed by visionary youth leaders, stating that they would help enlarge the state’s economic base and create more entrepreneurs who will become employers of labor.

The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore CON, emphasized the need to foster partnerships with the states in the region to ensure development reaches the grassroots across the Niger Delta.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, commended the initiative, noting that it aligns with the Commission’s vision to create self-employment opportunities for young people in the region. He also called on multinationals to bring their headquarters back to the Niger Delta, asserting that their operations are safe and secure anywhere in the region.

The founder of NDEIS/NDIFTE, Amb Kenule Nwiya, commended President Tinubu for his focus on the growth and development of the Niger Delta. He stated that the Economic and Investment Summit and Expo is strategically designed to give back to the people of the oil-rich region. He also thanked the Governors of the Niger Delta states for creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship to thrive and for empowering young people to make a good living.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Richard Okoye, emphasized the importance of investing in the health of the population to ensure a productive workforce. He urged governments to allocate a substantial portion of their budgets to the health sector and called for collaboration among states in the Niger Delta to make the region a hub for medical tourism.

The CEO of Barat Petroleum, Prince Haruna Momoh, in his goodwill message, highlighted the importance of regional partnerships to galvanize economic development.

Notable organizations, including NG Eagle Airline, Save A Life Foundation, and others, took part in the trade expo to connect with new markets.

The event, supported by the Ministry of Regional Development (formerly the Ministry of Niger Delta), was attended by representatives from all 23 local government areas of Rivers State, led by ALGON Chairman and the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Honourable Ezebunwo Ichemati. Youth leaders, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and women’s groups from the Niger Delta region were also present.

Dr. Richard Okoye, chairman of Save A Life Foundation, provided free medical consultations and treatment for guests at the event.

The Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit is a precursor to the Niger Delta International Festival and Trade Expo, which will take place from December 16–22 at Urhobo College, Warri, Delta State.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of a symbolic key to the investment pathway for the region, which was received by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, who had earlier declared the event open on behalf of the governor.