By Mercy Adewunmi
In a landmark move applauded by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently signed the North West Development Commission (NWDC) Bill into law. This significant development has been lauded as a crucial step towards accelerating the pace of development in the North West geopolitical zone, which encompasses the states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
The NWDC has been established with a specific mandate to facilitate the reconstruction of critical infrastructure such as roads, housing, and commercial spaces that have been detrimentally impacted by various crises in the region. Additionally, the Commission will be tasked with addressing prevalent issues such as poverty, low literacy levels, ecological challenges, and other related environmental and developmental obstacles that have impeded progress in the North Western states.
ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor T. A. Muhammad-Baba, emphasized the significance of the NWDC in tackling the multifaceted challenges faced by the region. With a combined population of 49 million individuals, a striking 93% of whom are currently living below the poverty line according to recent statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, the North West has been mired in a state of developmental stagnation for far too long.
The region has been plagued by insecurity, banditry, and other associated issues, with the North West often being labeled as the epicenter of instability and terrorism in the country. ACF underscored the urgent need for concerted efforts to ensure that the resources allocated to the NWDC are effectively harnessed to bring about tangible improvements in the lives of the people residing in these states.
Expressing heartfelt appreciation to President Tinubu, Senator Barau I Jibrin, and all individuals involved in championing the NWDC Bill, ACF emphasized the necessity of a collective approach to ensure the successful execution of the Commission’s initiatives. The organization called upon stakeholders at all levels to work collaboratively towards removing the dark clouds of underdevelopment that have loomed over the Northwestern region for too long, thereby paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for its inhabitants.
In conclusion, ACF extended its gratitude to all those who contributed to the realization of this significant milestone, heralding it as a positive step towards fostering sustainable development and progress in the North West. The organization echoed its hopes for the fruitful implementation of the NWDC’s programs and initiatives, which hold the promise of positively transforming the socio-economic landscape of the Northwestern states.
