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Delta Among 4th Largest Economy in Nigeria – SSG

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Delta State has emerged as one of the top four largest economies in Nigeria,  Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, has said.
Dr. Emu stated this in his keynote speech at the 2025 Public Lecture and Awards Ceremony of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Delta State Chapter, held in Asaba, yesterday.
He said the theme, “The Role of Professionals in the Successful Implementation of the Delta State Government MORE Agenda”, was apt and highlighted the state’s impressive growth trajectory, attributing it to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s strategic governance, infrastructural investments, and a thriving private sector.
Dr. Emu emphasized that Delta’s economic rise was a result of deliberate policies aimed at boosting agriculture, industrialization, and human capital development.
He said through prudent management of resources, investor-friendly policies, and a focus on key sectors such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and technology, Delta has solidified its place as a major economic hub in Nigeria.
He also pointed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration as a key driver of this success, citing initiatives such as the expansion of road networks, increased support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the development of industrial parks across the state.
Dr. Emu added that the state’s strong contributions to the oil and gas sector, along with growing diversification efforts, have been critical in achieving this status.
“Whether you denominate in Naira or Dollar, Delta is the 4th largest economy in Nigeria and the highest oil producer in the country today.
“Oil revenue today accounts for only 48.7 percent of our GDP, Services and all others account for 51.25 percent.
“This tells you that even though oil and gas is our main revenue earner, services and others account for money.
“It means that as an economy, we are diversifying even though oil accounts for the highest revenue, it does not account in terms of provision of jobs for our people.
“Agriculture sector has grown year-on-year at 13.3 percent for over six years now, while services and manufacturing have also grown significantly.
“We have diversified and created huge jobs for our people totalling over 257,000 jobs and that is very significant”, he noted.
He said with this new ranking, Delta State is poised to attract more local and international investments, solidifying its role as a leading economic powerhouse in Nigeria.
According to him, Oborevwori’s administration has constructed over 500 roads with over 1500km and 933km of line drainages with massive contributions to job creation and poverty eradication.
“In 2020 we were rated the second least poor state in Nigeria only second to Lagos State. In 2022, the multi-dimensional poverty rating indices showed National average at 63 percent. Delta is 47 percent, placing 9th in the country.
“There are some jobs advertised in the country with some states applying more than Delta State and for me its another measure of poverty.
“It indicates that the people here have other choices, they have an option because if there were no options they would have taken those jobs.
“We have over 254,747 empowerments through multiple job creation channels. For every road construction, there is provision for jobs so the more we construct roads across the state, the more jobs we create.
“Physical and social infrastructure fertilises development. So, we will continue to construct more roads and other physical infrastructure across the state”, he said.
On why government is spending huge amounts on road infrastructure, Dr. Emu, said there is a huge infrastructure deficit running into trillions of dollars in Nigeria.
He said South Africa recently provided $54billion dollars for road infrastructure, adding that the problem is not peculiar to Nigeria alone.
“Physical infrastructure fertilises development, it inter links local areas to the urban centres and reduces rural-urban migration and gives room for expansion of businesses in all the hinterlands.
“Hence Government is spending huge amounts in building Trans Warri-Ode Itsekiri Road and bridges, the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway among others”, he noted.
Emu further said as professionals they have major roles to play in the development of the state and urged them to provide useful advise to government on how to develop the state.
In his welcome remark, Chairman APBN, Delta State Chapter, Surv. Victor Ezie, acknowledged the good works of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, especially on the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway, emphasising that the impact of his governance was resonating through out the State.
He congratulated Governor Oborevwori on his emergence as Governor of the year by THISDAY/ARISE News and urged the Governor to keep the flag flying even as he expects diversification of the state’s economy beyond oil dependence.
He called for more investments in non-oil sectors such as Agriculture, Technology, Industries, Commerce, Electricity, Transportation, mass housing, and tourism to ensure sustainable growth.
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Niger Delta

Tompolo, N’Delta’s Distinguished Son – Oborevwori

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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has described renowned Niger Delta activist and former militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as a distinguished son of the Niger Delta.
He said Tompolo has made remarkable contributions to the peace, stability, and development of the region and the nation at large.
The Governor, who stated this in a statement recentl by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, at an event marking the 54th birthday of Tompolo, commended the ex-militant for his role as Chairman of Tantita Security Services.
He said “Tompolo’s leadership had been instrumental in the fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta, leading to improved oil production and enhanced national revenue”.
The Governor also acknowledged that both the state governments of the Niger Delta and the Federal Government recognize and appreciate Tompolo’s unwavering efforts in promoting peace and security in the region.
“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Delta State, I extend my heart-felt congratulations to a true son of the Niger Delta, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, on the occasion of his 54th birth anniversary.
“Tompolo has played a vital role in the progress of the oil-rich Niger Delta and has consistently collaborated with regional and federal authorities to sustain peace and development.
“As he celebrates his birth anniversary, it is our prayer that God continues to bless him with good health, wisdom, and strength to further his service to the nation and humanity”, the Governor said.

By: Albert Ograka, Asaba

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Niger Delta

AfDB President Pledges Investment In C’River’s Health, Agric Sectors

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President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has pledged significant investment in Cross River State’s health and agriculture sectors.
Adesina made this commitment on Thursday during a state banquet held in his honour by the Cross River State Government, in connection with the launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) project.
He stated that the AfDB would support the State Governor, Bassey Otu’s efforts to revitalise primary healthcare centres and strengthen the state’s health insurance initiative.
Adesina also encouraged the adoption of a sustainable, franchise-based business model for healthcare delivery to enhance accessibility and improve quality of care nationwide.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the SAPZ project, describing it as a “game-changer” for Cross River’s economy.
“We will help ensure that primary healthcare centres are not only revitalised but also digitally connected to allow seamless access and portability of health records,” he said.
Adesina also lauded the governor’s collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, noting that it positioned Cross River to become a key logistics and industrial processing hub.
In his remarks, Otu reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieving economic independence and reducing overdependence on federal allocations.
He identified three strategic development pillars, security, food security, and energy security as essential to unlocking sustainable growth in the state.
The Governor also highlighted plans to integrate Cross River into regional economic corridors with Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, while boosting agricultural productivity through large-scale cultivation of cocoa, cassava, and other key crops.

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Niger Delta

‘Agro-Processing, Key To Non-Oil Exports, Industrial Growth’

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The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, has described agro-processing as a critical enabler of Nigeria’s non-oil export drive and industrial transformation.
Enoh said this recently during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Calabar, Cross River State.
According to him, the initiative, driven by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in partnership with the Federal Government and other stakeholders, will it enhance food security and accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward industrial prosperity.
“I am glad to report that today the Ministry of Industry and that of Agriculture and Food Security are working together to secure the food prosperity of our countrymen and women.
“The collaboration is also to see the extent to which this can crystallise into industrial growth and development of our country.
“If you look at examples of all countries around the world that have achieved industrialisation, you will notice that they have had to move from agricultural growth, progress and development to attainment of industrial growth and prosperity.
“It is important that everybody understands and appreciates the fact that this event is actually going to crystalise into food security and industrial growth”, he said.
He further said SAPZs were instrumental in converting raw agricultural produce into finished goods for export, thus boosting Nigeria’s GDP and reducing dependence on oil revenue.
“We must move beyond celebrating the export of cocoa beans and start exporting finished cocoa products. That is how to unlock real economic growth”, he stated.
The minister challenged stakeholders to move the country from exporting primary products to processed goods.
“The SAPZ is the game-changer that will help us industrialise, create jobs, and increase exports of made-in-Nigeria goods”, he said.
Also speaking, Mr Abdul Kamara, AfDB’s Country Director for Nigeria, said that the SAPZ programme was one of the bank’s top priorities, with over five billion dollars in operations tied to its success.
“When I was deployed to Nigeria six months ago, the AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adesina, gave me a clear mandate, to untangle every impediment delaying the SAPZ.
“Today’s event is evidence of progress”, Kamara said.
He praised the collaboration between the federal and state governments, and development partners including the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
“We are building a full end-to-end value chain that will transform Nigeria’s rural landscape into zones of economic prosperity,” he said.
The National Coordinator for the SAPZ project, Dr. Yusuf Kabir, said that the programme had now reached implementation stage with all transaction advisors onboarded in the eight participating states.
“A zone without investment is a stranded asset. The role of transaction advisors is to ensure these zones attract investors and deliver results,” he said.
Kabir commended the Cross River State government for its swift commitment to the project, noting that Gov. Bassey Otu showed leadership by taking ownership of a project he did not initiate.
“I have met all the governors involved, and he was the only one I did not need to meet twice. He took the project personally and gave it priority,” he said.
The SAPZ in Cross River is part of a broader nationwide initiative aimed at creating agricultural transformation centres that will stimulate private investment, reduce rural poverty, and improve food systems.

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