ASHENEWS reports that the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has applauded the recent signing of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) bill into law by President Bola Tinubu.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Northern Elders Forum, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman.
The forum said that the bill signifies a significant step forward in addressing the longstanding neglect and devastation that the North-West region of Nigeria has endured.
“This transformative initiative aims to rejuvenate the region consisting of seven states: Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Katsina, and Kaduna, which have suffered from rampant banditry and criminal activity, leading to the destruction of critical infrastructure and the displacement of millions of its citizens.
“The NEF acknowledges the chronic stagnation in the development of the North-West and other parts of the northern region.
“Over the years, the development of the region has been neglected by successive admininstrations with activities of criminal gangs further exacerbating the situation, decimating health, education, and infrastructure systems, and creating a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented scale,” the statement said.
It expressed optimism that the establishment of the NWDC offers a beacon of hope and a strategic opportunity to rebuild the North-West and instigate positive change.
“With the nation becoming acutely aware of the humanitarian crisis caused by banditry and criminal violence, the timing of this commission’s creation could not be more opportune.
“Currently, millions of citizens are living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and hundreds of thousands face severe hunger and malnutrition. These previously unknown hardships have become daunting realities of daily life in the North-West.”
It therefore recommended effective leadership, sound management practices, and judicious resource allocation to ensure the success of the legislation.
“The NEF emphasizes the urgency for strong coordination of efforts, transparency in decision-making, and the deployment of skilled and competent individuals to manage the commission and its myriad initiatives.
“Addressing the insecurity, supporting IDPs, and rebuilding lives, communities, and infrastructure will demand exceptional leadership and substantial resources.
“With strategic leadership and a concerted effort, we believe that the challenges facing the North-West can be overcome, or at least, a solid foundation can be laid for their resolution. It is imperative to ensure the highest standards of coordination, skills management, and resource integrity within the commission’s operational framework. Northern stakeholders must remain vigilant, monitoring the institutional mechanisms at play to prevent further deterioration of the situation.”
