Niger Delta
Delta Among 4th Largest Economy in Nigeria – SSG
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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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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