By Francis Wilfred
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has tasked the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of North West Development Commission, NWDC, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji on the need to vigorously pursue the mandate of the region’s development and to be guided by accountability in the discharge of his duties.
This is contained in a press statement by head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale on Wednesday, January 14, 2025 when Ma’aji led officials of the Commission on a courtesy visit to the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
“I encourage you to be committed to that mandate. It’s a big mandate. The essence of setting up some of these intervention agencies is to ensure that each region will be able to develop at their own pace. We have had cause to receive quite a number of the regional commissions. And what we always tell them is what we are also telling you now: There is the need for you to be seriously committed to your mandate. We want to see progress within the next one year after releases have been made to you for your budget. We want to see tangible developmental projects that you have put in place so that the trust that the government and the people of Nigeria have in you will not be betrayed. I also want to encourage you in the area of accountability and transparency. We have started on a good note”, he said.
“We are ready on our part to work with you in the spirit of collaboration and to ensure that you start on a very good note and maintain the tempo. I believe that we can work together,” he added.
Ma’aji in his remarks sought collaboration between the EFCC and the NWDC for the purpose of ensuring that his Commission stays on track. “The Northwest Development Commission was established to drive coordinated socio economic development across the Northwest geopolitical zone through infrastructure delivery, social interventions, economic empowerment and institutional strengthening. As a new public institution entrusted with significant public resources, the Commission recognizes that transparency, accountability and strong internal controls are fundamental to achieving its mandate and sustaining public confidence.
