Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has pledged his administration’s full support for the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), describing the commission as a critical vehicle for addressing the development challenges facing the North Central region.
Bago gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the Governing Board and Management of the commission during an advocacy visit to the Government House in Minna.
The governor described the establishment of the NCDC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a visionary intervention aimed at promoting balanced and inclusive development across the country in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He congratulated members of the Governing Board and Management on their appointments and assured them of the Niger State Government’s cooperation in ensuring the commission successfully delivers on its mandate.
As part of the state’s commitment, Bago announced that his administration would provide a liaison office for the commission in Niger State, along with other logistical support to facilitate its operations.
The governor also called for closer collaboration between governors in the North Central region and the commission to develop coordinated strategies for tackling insecurity, rehabilitating communities affected by violence, addressing flooding, bridging infrastructure deficits, reducing unemployment and promoting sustainable economic growth.
Earlier, the Chairman of the North Central Development Commission, Barr. Cosmas Akighir, commended Governor Bago for what he described as his transformative leadership and investments in infrastructure, agricultural mechanisation, security and economic development.
Akighir said the commission had commenced advocacy visits across the North Central states to strengthen collaboration with state governments and other key stakeholders for the effective implementation of its mandate.
He noted that Niger State occupies a strategic position in the region because of its vast landmass, agricultural potential, abundant water resources and hydropower assets, which he said present significant opportunities for regional transformation.
The chairman identified security as one of the commission’s top priorities, stressing that sustainable agricultural development and effective utilisation of the region’s water resources for irrigation and food production depend on a peaceful environment.
According to him, unlocking these opportunities would create employment for thousands of young people across the region.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, said the pioneer Board and Management had focused on establishing sound governance structures, developing a comprehensive regional development framework and engaging stakeholders across the North Central zone.
He said the commission was committed not only to relying on government funding but also to creating frameworks capable of attracting private sector investment into key sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, energy, transportation, healthcare, education, mining and regional connectivity.
Describing Niger State as strategically important to Nigeria’s development, Tsenyil said the commission was keen to partner with the state government in agriculture, irrigation, rural road development, agro-processing, energy and industrialisation to unlock its economic potential.
He also expressed condolences to the Niger State Government and people over recent bandit attacks that claimed lives, displaced communities and destroyed property, assuring the state of the commission’s support in restoring peace and rebuilding affected communities.
Tsenyil stressed that the commission was established to complement, rather than compete with, state governments by bridging critical development gaps and supporting ongoing development initiatives.
He further disclosed that plans were being finalised for a North Central Stakeholders’ Summit, which would bring together governments, development partners, the private sector, traditional institutions and civil society organisations to chart a common development agenda for the region. He invited Niger State to participate actively in the summit.
The visit ended with 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 commission’s chairman.
