By Francis Sadhere, Warri
Chairman of the Global Initiative Support Group for Sheriff Oborevwori 2027, Olorogun Josiah Ntekume, has called on the Delta State Government to build on the outcome of its Economic and Investment Summit by ensuring that the investment opportunities identified translate into actual businesses, jobs and economic benefits for residents.
Ntekume said the real value of the summit would be determined by its ability to attract investors, expand businesses and create sustainable employment opportunities for Deltans.
Speaking with journalists in Delta State, he described the summit as an important step towards repositioning the state’s economy, stressing that government could not remain the sole driver of economic activity.
According to him, Delta State has enormous economic potential which, if properly harnessed through private-sector partnerships, could create new opportunities for young people, entrepreneurs and local businesses.
“For me, it is not just another political event. It is about creating the environment for businesses to grow, jobs to be created, and the state’s enormous economic potential to be converted into real opportunities for our people,” he said.
Ntekume said government’s responsibility should be to create the right conditions for investors to operate by providing infrastructure, security, favourable policies, incentives and an atmosphere of confidence.
“A state government cannot create every job by itself. What government can do is provide the infrastructure, policies, security, incentives and confidence that encourage the private sector to invest. That is the direction Governor Oborevwori is pursuing,” he stated.
He explained that increased investment in the state could have a multiplier effect, leading to employment, skills acquisition, technology transfer, new markets for small businesses and increased economic activities in communities.
“Our young people stand to gain from jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities. Our small and medium-sized businesses can gain access to new markets and partnerships.
“Communities can benefit from economic activities around new investments, while the state itself benefits from a stronger revenue base,” he said.
The APC chieftain also challenged local contractors to prepare themselves for the opportunities that could emerge from the investment drive rather than allowing companies from outside the state to dominate the emerging opportunities.
He urged contractors to improve their capacity, documentation and professional standards, while encouraging them to form strategic partnerships capable of enabling them to compete for bigger projects.
“Local contractors must not wait until outsiders come into Delta and take every opportunity. They should upgrade their capacity, maintain proper documentation, improve their professional standards and form strategic partnerships where necessary,” he advised.
Ntekume said the investment summit could open doors for local contractors to establish relationships with investors, developers, financial institutions and major companies seeking reliable local partners.
He stressed that such relationships could result in construction contracts, supply opportunities, consultancy engagements, employment and long-term business partnerships.
“My advice to our contractors is simple: don’t just attend the summit—prepare for the opportunities the summit can create,” he said.
He further linked the investment initiative to the broader economic objectives of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Delta State Government’s MORE Agenda, saying both could complement each other in promoting economic growth and opportunities.
On the 2027 elections, Ntekume urged Deltans to assess the present administration based on its performance and capacity to sustain development rather than on political propaganda.
“As Chairman of the Global Initiative Support Group for Sheriff Oborevwori 2027, our position is clear: we believe Governor Sheriff Oborevwori deserves the opportunity to consolidate the gains of his administration and take Delta further,” he said.
He called on voters to make their choices peacefully and based on development, competence, stability and the future of the state.
“Delta deserves continuity where continuity is working. Delta deserves progress, and progress requires responsible leadership,” Ntekume added.
Chairman of the Global Initiative Support Group for Sheriff Oborevwori 2027, Olorogun Josiah Ntekume, has called on the Delta State Government to build on the outcome of its Economic and Investment Summit by ensuring that the investment opportunities identified translate into actual businesses, jobs and economic benefits for residents.
Ntekume said the real value of the summit would be determined by its ability to attract investors, expand businesses and create sustainable employment opportunities for Deltans.
Speaking with journalists in Delta State, he described the summit as an important step towards repositioning the state’s economy, stressing that government could not remain the sole driver of economic activity.
According to him, Delta State has enormous economic potential which, if properly harnessed through private-sector partnerships, could create new opportunities for young people, entrepreneurs and local businesses.
“For me, it is not just another political event. It is about creating the environment for businesses to grow, jobs to be created, and the state’s enormous economic potential to be converted into real opportunities for our people,” he said.
Ntekume said government’s responsibility should be to create the right conditions for investors to operate by providing infrastructure, security, favourable policies, incentives and an atmosphere of confidence.
“A state government cannot create every job by itself. What government can do is provide the infrastructure, policies, security, incentives and confidence that encourage the private sector to invest. That is the direction Governor Oborevwori is pursuing,” he stated.
He explained that increased investment in the state could have a multiplier effect, leading to employment, skills acquisition, technology transfer, new markets for small businesses and increased economic activities in communities.
“Our young people stand to gain from jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities. Our small and medium-sized businesses can gain access to new markets and partnerships.
“Communities can benefit from economic activities around new investments, while the state itself benefits from a stronger revenue base,” he said.
The APC chieftain also challenged local contractors to prepare themselves for the opportunities that could emerge from the investment drive rather than allowing companies from outside the state to dominate the emerging opportunities.
He urged contractors to improve their capacity, documentation and professional standards, while encouraging them to form strategic partnerships capable of enabling them to compete for bigger projects.
“Local contractors must not wait until outsiders come into Delta and take every opportunity. They should upgrade their capacity, maintain proper documentation, improve their professional standards and form strategic partnerships where necessary,” he advised.
Ntekume said the investment summit could open doors for local contractors to establish relationships with investors, developers, financial institutions and major companies seeking reliable local partners.
He stressed that such relationships could result in construction contracts, supply opportunities, consultancy engagements, employment and long-term business partnerships.
“My advice to our contractors is simple: don’t just attend the summit—prepare for the opportunities the summit can create,” he said.
He further linked the investment initiative to the broader economic objectives of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Delta State Government’s MORE Agenda, saying both could complement each other in promoting economic growth and opportunities.
On the 2027 elections, Ntekume urged Deltans to assess the present administration based on its performance and capacity to sustain development rather than on political propaganda.
“As Chairman of the Global Initiative Support Group for Sheriff Oborevwori 2027, our position is clear: we believe Governor Sheriff Oborevwori deserves the opportunity to consolidate the gains of his administration and take Delta further,” he said.
He called on voters to make their choices peacefully and based on development, competence, stability and the future of the state.
“Delta deserves continuity where continuity is working. Delta deserves progress, and progress requires responsible leadership,” Ntekume added.
