Search for real Niger Delta transformation begins as ‘Convergence’ arrives PH

…As Lanre Oluseye, business thinker and leader, says only the business class can build Niger Delta economies

The search for the real transformation of the Niger Delta region is said to have started as a world-class strategy conference series known as ‘Convergence’ soon arrives Port Harcourt.

‘Convergence’ operates by seeking out and bringing the most successful career persons and business owners into the same room with tested career persons and managers that need to scale to the next level.

The ‘Convergence’ process is said to insist on fees to separate need from want; to separate people who truly want to move up from those who merely wish it.

The idea as unveiled in Port Harcourt in the week is to turn around the thinking in the region to pro-business focusing on hunger for efficiency, perfect decisions, respect for capital, and an eye for deadlines.

A ‘Convergence conference’ is generally indicated as an event designed to bring together experts, professionals, or enthusiasts from different, yet related fields to explore synergies, share knowledge, and discuss future trends. “Depending on the context, it can refer to professional industry discussions (like tech or agriculture) or popular fan conventions”.

States and regions where ‘Convergence’ is to be held look forward to changes in its business ecosystem and emergence of new successful men and women who have vastly scaled up to boost productivity, wealth creation, and massive job opportunities.

The Niger Delta is thus set to witness this seed conference that would bring revolution in how managers think and cause growth. The Convergence 2026 conference, themed: ‘Positioning for Prosperity 2026 and Beyond,” will hold in Port Harcourt on April 18, 2026, aimed at empowering about 600 middle-class professionals, CEOs, and business leaders with strategies for growth. The event, led by the Convener, Lanre Oluseye, will feature industry experts to address investment and career challenges.

Oluseye took time off to interact with the Port Harcourt press to examine the inner recesses of the concept and planning of ‘Convergence Port Harcourt’.

He gave the takeaway as guaranteed change to every participant insisting that every participant must go to the next level because there would be an atmosphere of greatness. “There is now oil volatility and forex instability which destabilize businesses. The people that can show business owners how to navigate the route are going to be in the hall.”

Oluseye, who is Port Harcourt head of House on the Rock International Church, spoke on key areas, touching on ‘what happens when you are in a room with great people’; why Port Harcourt was chosen for first-ever Convergence conference; the ‘Deal Room’ where business breakthroughs are guaranteed; coming of Euro-Exim Bank with minimum of $500,000 to businesses needing funding; no better time to be a woman; and that many SMEs do not help themselves.

Oluseye said they have realized that every leader reaches a plateau point at a time; “It’s that point and place where success is just above you but hard to reach or get there. So, we are going to the ‘Convergence Port Harcourt’ to hear how those who crossed this plateau did it. It is thus a knowledge conference.

“It is not a motivational speech arena but a catalyst to take that final step you need to get to your success point. It is a process that makes you scale up to the next level

“It’s going to be a hall full of great minds coming together to chart the course. Ideas and strategies will come together in PH.”

Answering questions, the cleric/cum strategist rejected every idea of a jamboree, saying jamboree conferences in Niger Delta must come to an end because they serve no useful purpose. “This one is the conference that will change you.”

Jobs:

On job creation, the convener said: “It takes successful people to show job seekers that there is hope. They are the ones that show how to do it.”

He made it clear that jobs are not created by everyone but by ideas and actions of entrepreneurs and big-impact ventures. He said its when business people scale up that more jobs are created. So, he reasoned, any strategy or coming together that helps to stimulate ideas that lead to expansion and scaling would create jobs along the line. There, the conference would have indirectly created massive job boosts thereafter.

For instance, if a CEO whose firm is employing 20 persons but has a strong business idea that needs huge fund meets Euro-Exim team and wins $1bn to expand, over 200 new jobs may be created in next two years. He thinks it is the opportunity at the Convergence that met preparation to yield results. That is the power of networking.

In his words: “There will be networking opportunities. Be in that room because there is something that happens when you are in a room with great people.”

On why most conferences do not produce visible results, he said most people do not put into practice what they learnt and do not carry out after-conference actions. “The Challenge of the day is continuity. People leave from important conferences and remain the same. They do not review their notes and their ways and plot the next steps and seek the hanging fruits. It is those in need that stretch out to those who have the answers. Mentees seek out mentors. It is availability that links mentees to mentors/opportunities. So, availability is the main key.”

He said real knowledge comes at a price, and that free conferences do not deliver value. “We only want those that have right to be there to be the ones in that room. Sharpest minds are coming, so only the right type of people should be there.”

He said those in the room will be those to begin the real search for transformation in the Niger Delta. “Nobody should force you to invest in your own growth.”

On why Port Harcourt is the choice, Oluseye said: “I am a Rivers man as they come, though a Yoruba in ethnicity. My wife is from Bayelsa State. This means are stakeholders in the Niger Delta transformation. “There are reasons why Lagos is where it is, Abuja is where it is, and PH is PH. Literacy levels differ, levels of appreciating things and opportunities differ. It is my desire to see Rivers change that motivated me to seek programmes and projects that can stimulate change.”

The Deal Room:

Those that would get into the ‘Deal Room’ of the Convergence will meet exciting people with exciting opportunities. “That is where we will move from talk to transactions. Those that would make it to this room will meet the topmost resource persons and find opportunities to solve any problem.

$500,000 to $2bn awaits some participants:

He said Euro-EXIM Bank is coming with some guarantees. According to records, the Bank supports African businesses by facilitating international trade through tailored financial instruments, primarily focusing on importing goods without requiring traditional collateral. They provide Letters of Credit (LCs), Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs), and guarantees to help firms in sectors like manufacturing and construction.

Oluseye said the Bank has provided guarantees support needy participants with qualified credentials to access funding from $500,000 to $2bn. Venture capitalists will be in the room. Its opportunity to strike deals, he said.

He made it clear that Rivers must be built by businesses and the Niger Delta economy must be built by entrepreneurs. Government will only provide enabling environment and regulatory frameworks. “This is how it is in most advanced countries.

“Forthrightness is lacking in the society these days. So, people no longer appreciate forthright approaches where someone is honest with what he can offer and what he cannot. What we are providing is top-level conversation.”

There is no better time to be a woman:

He expressed surprise that most women in the region do not seem to appreciate huge opportunities for growth in business, career, and entrepreneurship. “There is no better time to be a woman than now. A lot is being provided for women. So much funds are locked up in banks and other foundations for women-owned or women-managed businesses.”

He said women participants would be assisted to hold the ropes that would take them to the next level.

He said the middle class is suffering. “There is much for SMEs and topmost individuals and businesses but not much for the middle.”

SMEs do not help themselves:

On demands to have a programme for small businesses, Oluseye reminded the press to what he has discovered, as someone deeply involved in empowerment schemes and mobilization of the youth for supports from corporations. “They sell their starter-packs and other empowerment items or packs just outside the venue, at under flyovers, etc. It is done openly and for peanuts. They lack knowledge. Only those that lack knowledge will sell the rope that connects them to prosperity only to return to poverty because they have shifted into the mode that makes poverty attractive.”

Conclusion, the Church:

He justified the role of the Church in business and leadership conferences and trainings. “The Church can no longer shy away from reality of the society. A thriving people is a successful society. The core mandate of the Church is the people; spiritual, physical. The Church is the salt and light of the Earth.

“That is why Canadian Prime Minister said the world is undergoing Rapture: you are either on the table or you’re the menu. We are trying to bring as many people as want to escape rapture on the table.”