Renowned peace and development advocate, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has called on the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently focus on people-oriented projects that will industrialize the state and generate employment opportunities for the teeming youth population.
Comrade Mulade, a prominent environmental rights activist and United Nations Peace Ambassador, made the appeal during a recent press conference in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The Ibe-Serimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom emphasized the need for strategic investments that would boost economic growth and improve the quality of life of Delta residents. He stressed that the current economic climate demands policies that directly impact the people, particularly the youth, through job creation and sustainable development.
Citing the recent initiatives of some South-East and South-South governors, Mulade urged Governor Oborevwori to take a cue from counterparts like Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, noting that Enugu recently launched Enugu Airlines despite having state revenue reportedly 50 percent less than that of Delta.
“Delta State has more resources to float Delta Airways, which will not only create jobs for our youths but also accelerate the state’s industrialization,” he asserted.
While acknowledging the importance of infrastructural development, the development advocate insisted that employment creation remains far more critical in fostering peace, revitalizing the economy, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
“Infrastructural projects are good, however, creating employment opportunities for the youths is far better and more important for a peaceful, revitalized, and sustainable economy that adds value,” Mulade said.
He also highlighted existing challenges facing the business environment in the state, pointing out that several government policies are perceived as anti-business and counterproductive to economic growth.
“It is equally imperative to state that Delta State’s business economy is not healthy due to certain government policies that are not economically friendly,” he stated.
Mulade concluded by making a passionate appeal to Governor Oborevwori to make industrialization a top priority in his administration, emphasizing that doing so is essential to reversing the state’s declining economic trajectory.
