“Road to South-South” initiative will deepen N/Delta devt beyond oil — Presidential aide

Hon. Gift Johnbull, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (South-South), has said that the launch of “Road to South-South 2.0 “will accelerate development across the region.

Speaking at the event held at the State House, Abuja, Johnbull said the new edition builds on gains recorded in 2024.

“Progress never stands still. 2.0 means we go further, reach higher, challenge every limit we thought existed.”

She said the platform was created to strengthen dialogue, promote inclusion and deepen government–community engagement across the six South-South states.

Johnbull said the first edition opened direct feedback channels for grassroots communities to influence national priorities.

She noted that thousands of farmers benefited from Project Earn from the Soil, which introduced labour-saving machinery recognised by international partners and state governments.

“For every milestone we reached, new questions emerged. How do we sustain and scale our efforts? How do we move the South-South beyond oil and gas?”

She said the 2.0 edition would expand investments in agribusiness, renewable energy, education, technology transfer and community-level wealth creation.

Johnbull said the initiative builds on progress recorded under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Regional development is the backbone of national progress. When one region thrives, others rise with it.”

She cited ongoing interventions, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway stretch through Edo State and works on the East–West Road, the Benin–Sapele–Warri Highway and the Eleme–Onne axis.

She urged traditional rulers, political leaders, private sector actors, civil society groups and youths to partner with government.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a slogan; it is a shared responsibility. Development can only succeed when communities take ownership of it.”

She described the South-South as not only Nigeria’s oil belt, but also an innovation centre and cultural pillar.

Earlier, Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (APC–Cross River North) described the region as the “circulatory system” of Nigeria’s economy.

“For decades, the South-South has powered national growth, supplying the oil and gas resources that fuel the federation.”

“Yet its own arteries remain clogged by pollution, exclusion and recurring social unrest.”

“This paradox is the heart of the national question we must resolve.”

He said the Road to South-South 2.0 initiative would help fast-track development across the region.

Supreme news reports that the event was attended by politicians, NGOs, youth leaders and Niger Delta stakeholders.