Oghara Declaration Calls for Bold Action to End Poverty in Nigeria

… as stakeholders demand Systemic Reforms, Community-led Solutions, and Technological Inclusion at International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025

Oghara, Delta State | October 17, 2025 – Stakeholders across Nigeria’s development landscape have called for urgent, coordinated, and inclusive action to tackle poverty in all its forms and dimensions. This call came at a one-day event held to commemorate the 2025 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty at Western Delta University, Oghara, culminating in the adoption of the Oghara Declaration on Action Against Poverty.

Organized by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) in partnership with the Akora & Agnes Ugolor Foundation and Western Delta University, the event brought together traditional rulers, government officials, academics, civil society actors, youth and women leaders, and the media to reflect on the theme: “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment by Ensuring Respect and Effective Support for Families.”

In his welcome address, Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ, noted that poverty in Nigeria persists despite the nation’s wealth in human and natural resources. “Poverty is not just the absence of income,” he said, “but the result of systemic exclusion, institutional neglect, and failed governance structures that deprive millions of Nigerians especially in the Niger Delta – of dignity, opportunity, and voice.”

The keynote paper, delivered by Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, development consultant and researcher, emphasized the need for sustainable livelihood programmes such as climate-resilient agriculture, agroecology, aquaculture, decentralized energy, post-harvest preservation, and skills development. He stressed that Nigeria’s continued technological dependence is a major barrier to poverty eradication, calling for policy reforms, capacity building, and public-private investments to empower communities.

The Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, in his remarks, commended the organizers and called for stronger collaboration between traditional institutions, civil society, and academic institutions to drive locally-led development initiatives.

The Vice Chancellor of Western Delta University proposed a “Gown and Town” initiative to strengthen knowledge transfer and innovation through partnerships with communities and called for the establishment of AI training centers in Oghara to empower youth and bridge the digital divide.

As part of efforts to promote inclusive access to clean energy, the event also featured the presentation of mini-solar lighting systems to 10 women, selected through a transparent process of random number picking. The initiative aims to mitigate energy poverty and enhance women’s resilience in low-income households. Five women from Oghara Community emerged as the lucky beneficiaries and were presented with the solar kits by the representative of the Ovie of Oghara, Chief Joseph Ogaga Ogunje (JP), the Vice Chancellor of Western Delta University, Prof. Augustine Ikelegbe, Development Consultant and Researcher, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, Chairman of Osadjere’s Family, Chief Douglas Edosovwa, and Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ. The gesture highlighted ANEEJ’s commitment to advancing community empowerment and sustainable solutions to poverty through clean energy access.

Key Highlights of the Oghara Declaration:

• Reform governance systems to eliminate institutional and social maltreatment of vulnerable families.
• Strengthen social protection and safety nets, targeting the poorest and most excluded populations.
• Promote climate-resilient agriculture, agroecology, and community-led food systems.
• Decentralize energy production and access through community-owned renewable energy projects.
• Leverage technology and artificial intelligence to enhance public service delivery and development planning.
• Support value addition and reduce post-harvest losses in agricultural value chains.
• Build the capacity of civil society organizations and citizens to demand accountability and transparency.
• Launch the Oghara Gown-Town Initiative as a platform for academic-community collaboration on poverty eradication.
• Address environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, including oil spills and gas flaring.

A Call to Action

Participants urged the Federal and Delta State Governments, private sector, development partners, and communities to adopt and implement the Oghara Declaration as a roadmap for inclusive development and poverty eradication. They emphasized that technology, when used equitably, can be a catalyst for ending poverty provided it is accessible, locally adapted, and ethically deployed.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to build a just, inclusive, and sustainable future where no one is left behind.

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