Governor of Niger State, Hon Mohammed Umaru Bago, has expressed the determination of his administration to partner with the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) in addressing the developmental challenges confronting the North Central geopolitical zone.
Governor Bago, who gave the assurance when he received in audience, the Governing Board and Management of the NCDC on an advocacy visit at the Government House, Minna, 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.
While congratulating the NCDC Governing Board and management on their appointments, Bago 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.
The Governor particularly stressed the need for Governors of the North Central zone 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, the Chairman of the NCDC, Mr. 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.
Akighir said 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.
He noted that 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.
The NCDC Board chairman 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. Akighir also said that unlocking these opportunities would generate employment for thousands of young people across the region.
Speaking in turn, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, 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.
Tsenyil said 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.
The Chief Executive of the NCDC noted that Niger State occupied a unique and strategic position in Nigeria’s development landscape, with immense potential for agro-processing, value chain development, food security and employment generation.
Tsenyil said 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.
Tsenyil 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.
He explained that the NCDC 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.
Tsenyil further said 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 and appealed to the Niger State government to actively participate in the summit.
A statementy by Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Head, Media and Corporate Communications of the Commission, stated that 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, Mr. Cosmas Akighir Esq.
