Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) in addressing the developmental challenges confronting the North Central region.
Governor Bago gave the assurance Tuesday when he received the Governing
Board and Management of the NCDC on an advocacy visit at the Government House,
Minna.
He described the establishment of the Commission by President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu as a visionary intervention aimed at ensuring balanced and inclusive
development across the country in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Governor congratulated the Governing Board and Management on their
appointments and assured them of the full support and cooperation of the Niger
State Government in delivering the Commission's mandate.
As part of the State's commitment, Governor Bago announced that his
administration would provide a liaison office for the Commission in Niger State
and offer other necessary logistical support to facilitate its operations.
He further stressed the need for Governors of the North Central region
to work closely with the Commission in developing coordinated strategies to
tackle insecurity, rehabilitate communities affected by violence, address
flooding, bridge infrastructure deficits, reduce unemployment and promote
sustainable economic growth.
Earlier, Chairman of the North Central Development Commission, Barr.
Cosmas Akighir, commended Governor Bago for his transformative leadership and
commitment to the development of Niger State through investments in
infrastructure, agricultural mechanisation, security and economic development.
He explained that the Commission was embarking on advocacy visits across
the region to strengthen collaboration with state governments and other
critical stakeholders in order to effectively implement its mandate.
According to him, Niger State occupies a strategic position within the
North Central region owing to its vast landmass, enormous agricultural
potential, abundant water resources and hydropower assets, all of which present
significant opportunities for regional transformation.
Barr. Akighir emphasised that security remains a major priority for the
Commission, noting that lasting agricultural development and effective
utilisation of the region's abundant water resources for irrigation and food
production can only be achieved in a peaceful environment. He added that
unlocking these opportunities would generate employment for thousands of young
people across the region.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the
Commission, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, said the pioneer Board and Management
fully appreciate the enormous responsibility entrusted to them and have
deliberately focused on establishing sound governance structures, developing a
comprehensive regional development framework and engaging stakeholders across
the North Central zone.
He stated that while government funding remains important, the
Commission is equally committed to creating frameworks that will attract
private sector investment into critical sectors such as infrastructure,
agriculture, energy, transportation, healthcare, education, mining and regional
connectivity.
Dr. Tsenyil described Niger State as occupying a unique and strategic
position in Nigeria's development landscape, with immense potential for
agro-processing, value chain development, food security and employment
generation.
He disclosed that the Commission is interested in partnering with the
Niger State Government to harness these comparative advantages by supporting
initiatives in agriculture, irrigation, rural access roads, agro-processing
zones, energy development and industrialisation.
The Managing Director also expressed the Commission's heartfelt
condolences to the Government and people of Niger State over the recent
banditry and criminal attacks that claimed lives, displaced communities and
destroyed property.
He assured Governor Bago that the Commission stands ready to collaborate
with the State Government and other relevant stakeholders in supporting efforts
aimed at restoring peace, rebuilding affected communities and promoting social
and economic rehabilitation.
Dr. Tsenyil further emphasised that the Commission was established not
to replace or compete with state governments, but to complement their efforts,
bridge critical development gaps and add value to ongoing development
initiatives.
He also informed the Governor that the Commission is finalising plans
for a North Central Stakeholders' Summit, which will bring together
governments, development partners, the private sector, traditional
institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to
collectively shape the region's development agenda. He invited Niger State to
actively participate in the summit.
The visit culminated in the presentation of a copy of the North Central
Development Commission (Establishment) Act and the maiden edition of the NCDC
News Gazette to Governor Bago by the Chairman of the Commission, Barr. Cosmas
Akighir.
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