WARRI/Nigeria: Renowned peace and development advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has called on Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently prioritize industrialisation and people-oriented projects that would create sustainable employment opportunities for the state’s teeming youths.
Mulade, a respected environmental rights activist and United Nations Peace Ambassador, made the appeal during a press conference in Asaba, stressing the need for the government to adopt bold economic strategies capable of transforming the state’s economic landscape.
He argued that with the state’s abundant resources, the Oborevwori administration should look beyond infrastructure to initiatives that directly boost productivity, generate jobs, and enhance the standard of living of Deltans.
“Delta State has more resources to float Delta Airways, which will create employment opportunities for our youths and industrialise the state,” Mulade said, citing the recent launch of Enugu Airlines by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, whose revenue base is about half of Delta’s.
He urged the Oborevwori-led administration to emulate progressive steps taken by governors like Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Mbah of Enugu in initiating strategic projects that spur development, attract investment, and expand the economy.
According to him, “Infrastructural projects are good, however, creating employment opportunities for the youths is far better and more important for a peaceful, revitalised, and sustainable economy that will add value to our economy.”
Mulade, who is also the Ibe-Serimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, warned that unless the state reviews its current anti-business policies, the economic climate may continue to discourage investment and frustrate entrepreneurship.
“I want to strongly appeal to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State, to consider and prioritise industrialisation as key to saving our deteriorated economy,” he said.
The development advocate lamented that the state’s business environment remains hostile due to what he described as “some government policies that are not economically friendly,” calling for a more deliberate and inclusive approach to economic planning.
Mulade maintained that without urgent action, the state risks missing out on the growing opportunities available in regional and international economic corridors. He emphasised that peace and security are best guaranteed when the people are economically empowered.
He concluded with a strong message to the state leadership: “Industrialisation is the engine of economic growth. It is time for Delta to rise to its full potential and lead Nigeria’s subnational development.”
