To provide enduring means of livelihood to the youth population in Rivers State and, by extension Niger Delta region, boost trade and economic activities, the President Bola Tinubu-led administration has partnered with Niger Delta states on trade and investment expo.
This comes as the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed his commitment to leverage the state’s abundant human capital and productive population to ensure that youths in the state have access to means of livelihood.
The governor gave this assurance recently in Port Harcourt during the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit organised by KenEva Consult Ltd and Ken-Rich Global Consult Ltd.
Represented by the deputy governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Ordu, the governor expressed delight that visionary youth leaders are championing such platforms, saying it will assist in enlarging the economic base of the state and create more entrepreneurs who will be employers of labour.
Also speaking, the minister of regional development, Abubakar Momoh, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore, highlighted the need to foster partnership with the states in the region in order to ensure that development trickles down to the grassroots across Niger Delta.
Also, in his remarks, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Chief, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, applauded the initiative, noting that it is in line with the vision of the commission under his leadership to create opportunities for self-employment for young people in the region.
He also called on multinationals to bring back their headquarters to the region, noting that their operations are safe and secured anywhere in Niger Delta.
In his remarks, the founder of NDEIS /NDIFTE, Amb Kenule Nwiya, while commending President Tinubu for his interest in the growth and development of the Niger Delta, said the economic and investment summit and expo are strategically designed to give back to the people of the oil-rich region.
He thanked governors in the Niger Delta states for the right atmosphere they have continued to create to ensure that entrepreneurship thrives and young people are empowered to make a good living.
The keynote speaker, Dr Richard Okoye, emphasised the need to invest in people’s health to ensure a productive population.
He therefore urged governments across the country to devote a large chunk of their budget to the health sector, appealing for collaboration among states in the Niger Delta so that the region will become a destination for medical tourism.
In his goodwill message, Barat Petroleum CEO Prince Haruna Momoh said all regions and states need to partner with each other to galvanise their strength for economic development.
Notable organisations, including NG Eagle Airline, Save A Life Foundation, and others, used the trade expo to reach new markets.
The event, supported by the Ministry of Regional Development, formerly the Ministry of Niger Delta, had in attendance all the 23 local government areas of Rivers State led by ALGON chairman in the state and the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Hon Ezebunwo Ichemati.
Youth leaders from the Niger Delta region, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and women groups were also in attendance.
The keynote speaker, Dr Richard Okoye, chairman of Save A Life Foundation, was also on hand to give guests free medical consultations and offer free medical treatment.
The Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit is a precursor to the Niger Delta International Festival and Trade Expo coming up from Dec. 16—22 at Urhobo College, Warri, Delta State.
The event’s highlight was the presentation of a symbolic key to the region’s investment pathway, which was received by the deputy governor of Rivers State, who had earlier declared the event open on behalf of the governor.
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