By Leo Zwanke, Lafia
The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Minister of State, Alhaji Uba Maigari, and Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, have commended the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) for taking proactive steps toward developing a strategic roadmap for the region’s growth.
The commendations were made during the opening of a two-day policy review retreat held in Lafia, Nasarawa State, organized by the NCDC in collaboration with SPRING, a development partner.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, described the initiative as timely and commendable, noting that holding such a policy retreat at the inception of the Commission’s activities demonstrates foresight and commitment to inclusive development.
“The idea of holding this policy development retreat at the inception of its journey is not only proper but also a proactive approach by the Board and Management of the Commission,” Sule said. “The NCDC has done the right thing by bringing together experts and key stakeholders to discuss ideas for the development of the region in line with its mandate.”
He assured that his administration would continue to collaborate with other North Central governors in supporting the Commission through strategic partnerships aimed at reducing development gaps and enhancing prosperity across the region.
In his remarks, Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, lauded the NCDC for setting an example among other regional development commissions. He said the Commission’s proactive efforts were already being recognized as a model for peer review.
“The NCDC is setting the pace among its peers, and many are looking up to its initiatives for peer review,” Momoh stated. “I urge the Commission to continue engaging all stakeholders as it develops a roadmap backed by a practical development plan aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Momoh emphasized the importance of equity, fairness, and inclusivity in implementing the Commission’s projects and programmes, adding that all processes must adhere strictly to laid-down procedures.
Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari, also praised the Commission’s performance since its inauguration, urging it to channel its efforts toward impactful projects in roads, agriculture, security, health, education, job creation, and environmental protection.
“The NCDC has been up and doing since its inception,” Maigari said. “I am optimistic that the roadmap, when fully developed, will be clear, concise, and actionable, thereby reducing project duplication and ensuring the effective use of resources.”
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Rose Ogbe, underscored the need for the Commission to maintain a people-centered approach. “The Commission must remain passionate about serving the people, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of its programmes and interventions,” she said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NCDC Board, Barr. Cosmas Akighir, explained that the retreat was organized to generate valuable input from stakeholders, which would form the foundation of the policy document to guide the Commission’s activities.
“This meeting is meant to elicit contributions from stakeholders that will enrich the policy document we are producing,” Akighir said. “The Board and Management have been working together for a smooth takeoff, and we will sustain this tempo to achieve our mandate.”
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, FCNA, said the retreat was part of efforts to consolidate progress and align the Commission’s vision with practical realities.
“The Commission decided to host this retreat in collaboration with SPRING to consolidate on the progress made so far and ensure we are on track,” Tsenyil said. “So far, we have held productive meetings under the leadership of our Chairman, where proactive decisions were made to establish structures, systems, and strategies to tackle the challenges facing the North Central region.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NCDC, Senator Titus Zam, and his deputy, Senator Jibrin Isa Echoco, lauded the initiative, describing the retreat as an avenue for robust engagement between the Commission and critical stakeholders.
Deputy Team Lead of SPRING, Ms. Priscillia Ankut, said the organization’s collaboration with the NCDC was driven by its interest in accelerating development across the North Central zone.
“We are excited to partner with the NCDC in propelling development in the region through evidence-based planning and implementation,” Ankut noted.
The retreat featured paper presentations by experts on key thematic areas, including The Socio-Economic and Cultural Profile of the North Central Region: Challenges and Opportunities, Institutional Governance and Accountability for Development Commissions, and a review of the NCDC Draft Roadmap Policy Document.
The event attracted key policymakers, traditional rulers, development experts, and representatives of partner agencies committed to advancing the growth and development of the North Central region.
