Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has endorsed the forthcoming North Central Stakeholders Development Summit, describing it as a strategic platform for the region to collectively chart a new path towards sustainable development.
Governor Abdulrazaq gave the endorsement when he received members of the Governing Board and Management of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) at the Kwara State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
The North Central Stakeholders Development Summit is scheduled to hold in Abuja from 14th to 15th September 2026, with the theme: “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region.”
The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the North Central Development Commission, describing the initiative as commendable and timely in addressing the development needs of the region.
He also praised the NCDC for prioritising the establishment of foundational structures and processes, particularly the planned Stakeholders Development Summit, which he said would provide an opportunity to aggregate the views, aspirations and concerns of the people of the North Central towards achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Governor Abdulrazaq urged the Commission to give priority attention to critical sectors including agriculture, healthcare, power, commerce, human capital development and entrepreneurship, among others.
He also drew the attention of the Commission to the need for improved regional infrastructure and connectivity, particularly roads and railways, to address the historical infrastructural gaps that have continued to constrain economic integration and development in the region.
According to him, the infrastructural architecture inherited from the colonial era was largely designed around extraction, with inadequate attention to connecting communities and economic centres within the North Central to major national transportation corridors.
Governor Abdulrazaq therefore encouraged the Commission to pursue interventions that would strengthen road and rail connectivity across the region and improve its integration with the wider national economy.
He further advised the NCDC to sustain and expand its partnerships with Federal Government institutions, State Governments and development partners, particularly in exploring innovative financing options that would enhance the implementation, quality and sustainability of development projects.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, expressed appreciation to Governor Abdulrazaq for receiving the Governing Board and Management of the Commission.
Dr. Tsenyil explained that the visit was part of the Commission’s ongoing engagement with Governors of the seven North Central States, aimed at strengthening collaboration and ensuring that the Commission’s programmes and interventions are aligned with the development priorities of the States.
He disclosed that the NCDC Governing Board had already visited Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue and Niger States, where the Governors expressed their full support for the Commission and pledged assistance in areas including office accommodation, project vehicles and other institutional requirements.
The NCDC helmsman informed Governor Abdulrazaq that the forthcoming North Central Stakeholders Development Summit would provide a robust platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the future of the region and develop a comprehensive long-term development framework.
He said the participation of Governor Abdulrazaq and his colleagues from across the North Central would be particularly valuable in helping the Commission identify the specific areas requiring intervention and develop programmes that respond directly to the needs and aspirations of the people.
Dr. Tsenyil emphasised that the NCDC sees the States as partners in development and not competitors, stressing that continuous interaction, consultation, collaboration and exchange of ideas would remain central to the Commission’s approach.
He added that the Commission was committed to working closely with the States to achieve the collective development objectives of the North Central region.
The Managing Director also
conveyed the condolences of the NCDC Governing Board and Management to the
Government and people of Kwara State over the recent attacks and
terrorism-related activities recorded in some parts of the State.
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!