Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, the founder of the Increase UI Foundation, formally launched his new book, The Hidden Treasures in the Niger Delta, at a grand ceremony in Abuja that attracted a distinguished array of Nigeria’s intellectual and political community. The book, which the author describes as the product of years of research and lived experience, aims to shift the narrative of the Niger Delta region beyond oil and gas to its vast, underdeveloped human, agricultural, and mineral resources.
The event, which showcased a blend of intellectual reflection and cultural celebration, was attended by notable figures, including H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR (Special Guest of Honour, represented by his former Chief of Staff, Dr. Mike Oghiadomhe), Maj. Gen. Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu (rtd), CFR (Chairman of the Occasion), and Professor Jerry Gana, CON (Former Minister and respected statesman). The book was reviewed by Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN.
Iyovwaye used the event to stress that the world is moving away from hydrocarbons, noting that “Hydrocarbon is barely 130 years old globally and is already being phased out.” He argued that the Niger Delta holds “treasures—human, natural, agricultural and mineral—that can sustain this nation for the next hundred years,” highlighting potential in agriculture (such as cassava for biofuel), alternative energy materials (including lithium, now regarded as “the new gold”), the marine and blue economy, and artisanal craftsmanship.
The book launch was tied to the broader developmental agenda of the Increase UI Foundation, which is focused on three core pillars: providing Clean Drinking Water for rural communities, offering Agricultural Training for Womenacross the Niger Delta, and engaging in Leadership and Education Development for young people. The author lamented the “anomaly” of a lack of clean water in many riverine communities despite their proximity to water bodies.
Reactions from guests underscored the book’s significance, with Chief Ozekhome, SAN, lauding the work as a “call to responsible governance and strategic resource management.” Former President Jonathan, through his representative, praised the book as a “bold contribution to national discourse” and a “call to action.” The ceremony concluded with thoughtful discussions on restructuring, resource control, the blue economy, and diversification strategies, reinforcing the vision for a sustainable and prosperous Niger Delta.
