The Chairman of the Governing Board of the North Central Development Commission, Mr. Cosmas Akighir, has announced plans to introduce strong empowerment programmes designed to reduce poverty across the North Central region. He made this commitment during a dinner held in his honour by the Jemgbagh Active and Retired Directors Association in Abuja after his recent appointment. Akighir said the commission would focus on youth empowerment, women empowerment, poverty reduction, economic growth and community development to deliver long-term impact.
He explained that tackling poverty remained a major priority for the commission, noting that strategic support for young people and women would help create real opportunities. According to him, “We want to set an empowerment plan for the youth. The state of poverty in North Central is quite overwhelming, so we want to address that through youth and women employment.” He added that the commission aims to operate differently from other regional bodies, saying, “The commission is going to be different from other commissions. We want to leave a legacy in such a manner that when other commissions are sitting, the NCDC will be standing.”
Akighir stated that the commission had already prepared a roadmap to improve public infrastructure, including healthcare, roads, education and food production. He noted that the NCDC would work closely with state governments to raise the overall development level of the region. He also shared plans to utilise the region’s mineral resources and agricultural capacity to boost the economy, while improving security through partnerships with vigilante groups, community networks and other stakeholders.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, praised President Bola Tinubu for establishing the commission. Akume, represented by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Ustev, assured that the Federal Government would continue to provide guidance and support to help the NCDC achieve its goals.
Prof. Sebastian Hon, represented by Prof. Peter Akper, encouraged residents of the region to remain united despite ethnic, cultural and religious differences, noting that unity was important for sustainable development. The NCDC was established in February after President Tinubu signed the bill creating it, covering Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.
