Home to about 52% of the oilfields in Nigeria, Delta State accounts for over 35% of the country’s oil output. However, there is more to the state than just oil deposits. Delta State is located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria with a total land mass of 16,842 square kilometres and an estimated population of 4.8 million people. Thus, evidently, it has the potential for agriculture, tourism and commerce, in addition to human resources. It is in this interest in harnessing the quota contributed by other sectors and on how they have provided the bulk of employment within the State, that Delta Economic Summit Group (DESG) pitches its forum.
DESG was launched in 2015 with a vision to become the principal think tank in economic development; influencing positive and strategic changes in Delta State. It is a non-profit, non-partisan private sector, that serves as a bridge between the public sector and the private sector by working passionately towards improving the standards of the Deltans and fostering meaningful partnerships for development.
The executive team comprise Mr Gamaliel ‘Ese Onosode as Chairman, DESG. He is the CEO Lilybank Property & Trust Ltd and has over thirty years of experience in Marketing, Stockbroking and Investment Banking with firms like FSDH Securities Ltd, Rims Securities and Denham Management Ltd. The Director General of DESG is Mr Chukwuka Monye, the founder of Ciuci Consulting. He is an innovation strategist, corporate development and consumer intelligence expert whose experience cuts across financial, telecoms, agriculture, media and the public sector and has led the execution of projects for state and federal government institutions. Next in line is Ms Tare Yeri, the Deputy Director General of DESG. With over 15 years’ experience in Legal Practice and Business and Training Management, Ms Tare has served as a legislative aid in the National Assembly in 2004 and is the founder of Birth Kings Ltd which has trained men and women from the Niger Delta.
This year, DESG hosted her economic discourse themed “Bridging the Investment Gap in Delta State”. The special guest of honour was His Excellency, Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State. The speakers were Dr Kingsley Emu, Commissioner of Economic Planning, Delta State; Dr Chris Ike Ogbechie, Chairman, Diamond Bank and Prof Pat Utomi, Founder, Centre for Values in Leadership. Panellists include Mrs Olunfunke Iyabo Osibodu, MD Benin Electricity Distribution Plc; Mr Ojunekwu Austin Avuru, CEO, Seplat Petroleum, Mr Chuka Mordi, Managing Partner, CBO Investment Management, Mr Zik Zulu Okafor, Chief Executive, Zulu Films, and the moderator, Mr Ayuli Jemide, Lead Partner, Detail Commercial Solicitors.
With this team, Delta Economic Summit Group is set to work out a significant and sustainable economic development in Delta State. Membership is open to individual and corporate bodies, and more details can be found at www.desgroup.org.