The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has challenged youths in the Niger Delta to harness the opportunities offered by technology to create wealth, secure employment and drive sustainable development across the region.
Speaking at the two-day Port Harcourt Tech Expo organised by TechNexus Limited and sponsored by the NDDC in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku urged young people to take advantage of emerging digital opportunities by acquiring relevant skills and positioning themselves for careers in the technology sector.
He described the expo as a strategic platform designed to connect innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders, while promoting collaboration and investment within the region’s growing technology ecosystem.
According to him, the Commission’s support for the initiative aligns with its broader vision of fostering a digitally empowered generation and advancing a technology-driven development agenda for the Niger Delta.
“The NDDC’s active role in initiatives such as the Port Harcourt Tech Expo reflects a strategic move toward building a digitally empowered generation and reinforcing the Commission’s vision of a technology-driven, inclusive development agenda for the Niger Delta,” he said.
Ogbuku noted that the gathering provided an avenue for technology enthusiasts, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors from diverse sectors to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and explore opportunities capable of accelerating economic growth in the region.
He assured participants that the Commission was ready to collaborate with relevant organisations to create more platforms for youth training and empowerment in technology-related fields.
Addressing the theme of the event, “Syntropy,” the NDDC chief urged young people to take responsibility for their future.
“No one will plan your future for you. While government has a responsibility to create an enabling environment, it is your responsibility to seize the opportunities it provides. This expo is one such opportunity,” he stated.
Ogbuku said the Niger Delta had recorded significant progress in sectors such as information technology, renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare and infrastructure, adding that the NDDC had continued to support local talents and create an environment conducive to innovation.
“In NDDC, we have been actively involved in promoting and supporting technological advancements in the region, recognising the immense potential they hold for economic growth and development. Through targeted initiatives, we have empowered local talents, nurtured innovation and supported the growth of a thriving technology ecosystem,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, Sir Israel Egbunefu, underscored the transformative role of innovation in Nigeria’s economic future, urging youths to invest in knowledge and skills development.
He called for a shift from dependence on crude oil to technology-driven growth, declaring that “technology is the new oil.”
Earlier, the Managing Director of TechNexus Limited, Belema George, said the expo was designed to stimulate technology-driven economic growth in Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
He explained that the theme, “Syntropy,” was inspired by the concept of constructive synergy, reflecting the belief that collaboration among innovators, investors and institutions could accelerate regional development.
George noted that the partnership with the NDDC was consistent with the Commission’s mandate to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta through innovation, strategic investments and human capital development.