Development Problems in the Niger Delta Region: A Study in Christian Development Ethics

The acute poverty, underdevelopment and environmental damages that exist in the Niger Delta region despite abundance of natural resources present a paradox to anyone who cares. It is a fact, that corruption, misappropriation of fund and lack of accountability on the part of most major stakeholders are partly responsible for such paradox. There is no shortage of development theories to tackle the development problems in the region. Lacking is the political will to operate just and effective socio-economic and political structures in the country that could increase chances of development for the poor and disadvantaged in the region. Based on Amartya Sen's Capability Approach and the Catholic Social Teaching, this book presents a development ethics that can serve as ethical orientation to assist those who seek new ways to advance social and environmental development of the Niger Delta.

Clement Oloruntusin Akinseloyin, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo in Ondo State (Nigeria), was born in 1961 in Ode-Irele. He studied philosophy and theology at SS. Peter and Paul Major Seminary Bodija - Ibadan (Nigeria). He obtained his Bachelor in Divinity (BD) in 1987 from the Pontifical Urban University Rome, a Licentiate in Christian Social Science (L. Theo.) from the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology, Frankfurt am Main, in 2002 and a Doctorate degree in Catholic Social Teaching from the same university in 2011. The author worked as Director of the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Diocese of Ondo from 1990-1995 and 2004-2007. He served as Parish priest in St. Gregory Church Ikare-Akoko and twice as parish priest of Mary Queen of Angels, Akure, St. Victor’s Church Iju in Akure North, and is the founding Director of the St. Benedict’s Millennium Farm Project, Akure.