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…Tinubu, Shettima, ex-Heads of State, governors, traditional rulers, others expected at summit
By Abel Leonard, Lafia
The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) is set to commence a far-reaching plan to reposition the region’s economy, infrastructure and social development over the next 20 years, as key political, traditional and business leaders converge in Abuja for a major stakeholders’ summit.
The initiative, which seeks to produce a long-term development blueprint for the six-state region and the Federal Capital Territory, is expected to address critical challenges confronting the North Central and identify sustainable pathways for economic growth, infrastructure expansion and improved social development.
The summit is themed, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region.”
Speaking ahead of the summit on Friday, Chairman of the NCDC, Barr. Cosmas Akighir, said the meeting was designed to move the region beyond short-term interventions by creating a coordinated and long-term development framework.
Akighir said stakeholders would have the opportunity to examine the region’s development challenges, assess its economic potentials and agree on priorities capable of driving sustainable growth over the next two decades.
The NCDC chairman stressed the need for collective ownership of the development process, noting that the region’s future could not be determined by government alone.
Akighir said the Commission was seeking to build a shared vision that would translate into an actionable and sustainable development framework for the North Central region.
“The summit will provide a strategic platform for stakeholders to collectively examine the development challenges and opportunities confronting the region, and to chart a new course for its holistic transformation,” he said.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, said the summit was deliberately convened to galvanise strategic stakeholders within the region and beyond towards actualising the mandate of the Commission.
According to him, the event would also provide an opportunity to align the development priorities of the North Central with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Tsenyil said the summit would create a broad-based framework for partnerships, investments and interventions capable of accelerating economic growth and improving the quality of life of people across the region.
He stressed that government alone could not transform the region, calling for stronger collaboration among governments at all levels, the private sector, development partners, communities and other stakeholders.
“Transforming the North Central region cannot be achieved by government alone,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Summit Steering Committee, Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali, disclosed that the Commission was working closely with its technical partner, Phillips Consulting, to ensure the summit produces meaningful and practical outcomes.
The maiden North Central Stakeholders’ Development Summit, scheduled for September 14 and 15 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, will bring together stakeholders from government, the private sector, traditional institutions, academia and civil society to deliberate on the region’s development priorities.
The opening ceremony will take place on Monday, September 14, while the second day will feature panel discussions, technical sessions, breakout sessions, side meetings and other strategic engagements.
At the end of the summit, stakeholders are expected to reach broad consensus and produce concrete recommendations that will guide the formulation and implementation of the proposed 20-year development blueprint.
The Commission said the long-term plan is expected to position the North Central as a major hub for economic growth, infrastructure, investment, innovation and social development in Nigeria.
The NCDC therefore urged stakeholders within the region and beyond to participate actively in the summit, describing it as a major step towards achieving what it called “The Great Leap Forward” for the North Central region.
Saturday Sun Report that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to attend as Distinguished Guest of Honour, while Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as Special Guest.
Former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, are also expected to attend as Fathers of the Day.
The summit will further attract the governors of the North Central states and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, alongside traditional rulers, technocrats, development partners, academics, youth and women organisations, persons with disabilities and private sector stakeholders.
Nasarawa State Governor and Chairman of the North Central Governors’ Forum, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, will serve as Chief Host, while Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Ndatsu Umaru (rtd.), former Military Governor of Kano and Kwara States, will chair the occasion.
The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Iorwuese Hagher, a renowned academic, diplomat, politician and administrator.
