Gov. Sule Applauds Tinubu, Akpabio, Others for Establishing NCDC …pledges sustainable support for the Commission

By David Odama

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Tuesday commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other key stakeholders for facilitating the establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

Sule noted that President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development and human empowerment across the country reflects his deep passion for Nigeria, which necessitated the creation of the commission to fast-track growth nationwide.

The governor made the remarks when he received the Chairman and members of the NCDC in Lafia, where he announced the donation of an office complex to enable the smooth take-off of the newly inaugurated Commission in the region.

Handing over the office complex in Lafia, Sule reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the NCDC to implement developmental initiatives for the state and the wider North Central zone.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank my colleagues, the governors, for working together to ensure the commission’s smooth take-off. I apologise that none of the governors could be here today. Since we have a meeting on Thursday, I will work to ensure that we meet in Abuja with them and members of the National Assembly to make sure the North Central Development Commission takes off very smoothly,” Sule stated.

Earlier, the Chairman of the NCDC, Cosmas Akighir, assured that the Commission would partner closely with state governors to drive development and eradicate poverty in the North Central region.

He appealed for the cooperation of the governors to actualize the Commission’s mandate as directed by President Tinubu, while also commending Governor Sule’s developmental strides in Nasarawa State.

“We appreciate you greatly, Your Excellency. The North Central region is blessed with enormous natural resources, but it also faces many challenges. We seek to collaborate with you and other governors to drive development, raise living standards, and reduce poverty.

“We are grateful for the office space you provided and would also request land for a permanent headquarters. In addition, vehicles will be needed to boost our operational efficiency as we are still working within a limited annual budget,” Akighir said.

Welcoming the Commission’s board, the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Labaran Magaji, explained that the handover of the edifice was in line with Governor Sule’s commitment at the Commission’s inauguration in Abuja. He added that the facility had been renovated and upgraded to provide a conducive environment for the NCDC to commence operations and foster rapid growth in the region.