THE NORTH-CENTRAL Development Commission (NCDC), has rolled out a sweeping empowerment and development blueprint to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods across the region
Mr Cosmas Akighir, the Chairman, Governing Board of the commission disclosed the NCDC plans at a dinner organised in his honour on Monday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report the dinner was organised by Jemgbagh Active and Retired Directors Association (JARDA) to celebrate Akighir’s appointment.
The chairman, who described poverty in the region as “overwhelming,” said his leadership will prioritise youth and women empowerment as a core strategy for lifting households out of hardship.
According to him, the commission aims to implement targeted initiatives that will create sustainable employment and economic opportunities.
“The state of poverty in North-Central is quite overwhelming and we want to address that in terms of youth and women employment.
“The commission is going to be different from other commissions. We want to leave a legacy in such a manner that when other commissions are sitting, the NCDC will be standing,” he said
The chairman added that the NCDC had developed a robust roadmap to deliver on its mandate and position the commission as a model for regional development bodies in the country.
Beyond empowerment, Akighir disclosed that the commission would prioritise public infrastructure such as healthcare, roads, education and food production, which are vital to unlocking the region’s economic potential.
He also revealed that the commission would partner with state governments to restructure and upgrade the region’s development standards. He noted that some states had already made commendable strides in that regard.
Akighir further emphasised that the region’s rich mineral and agricultural resources would be harnessed to drive economic growth.
On security, the NCDC chairman stressed that the commission would work closely with local vigilante groups, community networks and stakeholders in vulnerable areas to enhance safety and curb criminal activities. He emphasised that security is essential to fostering a stable environment for development.
Akighir reaffirmed his commitment to delivering a commission that will not only stand out but leave a lasting legacy of growth, empowerment and security for the North-Central region.
On his part, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for creating the commission and appointing the chairman.
Akume, who was represented by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun, said the commission was created to bring development to the doorstep of every community. He promised to continue to provide proper advice and support to the commission.
In a keynote address, Prof. Sebastian Tar, SAN, urged the region to forge a united front in spite of their tribal differences.
Represented by Prof. Peter Akper, SAN, he emphasised the importance of unity and peaceful co-existence to development.
According to him, although the region is inhabited by people of different tribes, races, cultures and religious beliefs, they must consciously forge a united front, to achieve collective self-worth and development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the North-Central Development Commission is made up of six states in the central geographical space of Nigeria. The states are Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory. (NAN)
