*Calls for eradication of poverty through wealth creation

By Daniel Abia, P/Harcourt

Youths in Ogoni, Rivers state have been urged to deliberately pursue wealth creation as the most reliable pathway to economic freedom, self-reliance and community development.

Dropping this charge at the Ogoni entrepreneurial summit weekend, Chief Lesi Maol declared that poverty would only be defeated when people are empowered to create value and build sustainable enterprises.

Speaking at the event, Chief Lesi who announced a ₦200 million personal commitment to support 20 emerging entrepreneurs, said the investment was not charity but a strategic intervention aimed at producing business leaders who would in turn create jobs and wealth across Ogoniland.

“We cannot continue to survive on sympathy or subsistence. Wealth creation is the only sustainable weapon against poverty. When you empower one entrepreneur, you empower families, communities and generations,” he said.

“Ogoni youths are gifted, creative and resilient. What has been missing is structure, mentorship and opportunity. This summit is designed to fill that gap and unlock the greatness already inside our people,” he stated.

Explaining the motivation behind the summit, the CEO of Giolee Global Resources and organizer of the summit said the initiative was inspired by his firm belief that Ogoni has enormous untapped potential that can only be realized through deliberate planning and collective effort.

The philanthropist referenced the Nnewi model of mentorship and community-driven investment, describing it as a proof that intentional mentorship can produce generations of successful entrepreneurs.

“Nnewi did not become prosperous by accident. They invested in people, mentored the young and created a culture of enterprise. Ogoni can do even better if we are intentional and disciplined,” he added.

He explained that the summit was conceived as a pilot phase rather than a one-off event, with a long-term vision to build a sustainable ecosystem that supports mentorship, enterprise development, career growth and leadership in Ogoniland.

Reaffirming his commitment to strengthening institutions that drive knowledge and economic growth, Chief Lesi also announced a ₦20 million financial support to Capital and Ogoni TV, noting that access to information and education remains critical to development.

The summit attracted a wide range of stakeholders from business, finance, governance, academia, security, technology, energy, gender advocacy and community leadership. Sessions focused on practical engagement, mentorship, idea generation and translating knowledge into actionable skills.

Chief Lesi expressed optimism that participants would leave the summit better informed, better connected and more confident in their ability to build viable businesses, meaningful careers and sustainable livelihoods.

“Ogoni’s economic rise will not be imported. It must be driven by our people, our ideas and our determination to succeed,” he declared.

Also speaking at the summit, Mr. Magnus Kpakol, former Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, described the initiative as a “game changer,” commending Chief Lesi for providing leadership through action rather than words.

Kpakol introduced his Full Local Ownership (FLOW) economic development model, advocating that Ogoni people should have greater ownership and control of their natural resources while remaining part of the Nigerian federation.

“Development is not about brute force; it is about ideas. When ideas are translated into skills and skills into output, wealth follows,” Kpakol said.

At the sidelines of the event, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr. Henry Kpunee, said the summit was deliberately designed to shift the mindset of young people from dependency to productivity, adding that the emphasis on mentorship and real-life success stories would ensure lasting impact.

Several distinguished personalities and speakers also took time to address participants at the summit. They included Major General Letam Wiwa (rtd), CMH, Managing Partner of Bogana Chambers & Tradecraft Security Consult Ltd and Professor Magnus Kpakol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Growth and Development Center.

Others were Dr. Gbene Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Professor Barineme Beke Fakae, DVM, MSc, PhD; and Professor Barigbon Nesereka, Dean, School of Media and Communication Studies, Rivers State University.