The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) says it will unveil a 20-year economic, infrastructural and social development blueprint for the region at its maiden stakeholders’ summit scheduled for Sept. 14 and 15.
Dr Makut Simon-Macham, Head, Media and Corporate Communications, NCDC, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lafia.
The two-day summit, scheduled to hold at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, is themed: “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region.”
According to the statement, the summit will bring together political leaders, government institutions, traditional rulers, technocrats, private sector operators, development partners, youth and women groups, persons with disabilities and other stakeholders.
The statement quoted Mr Cosmas Akighir, Chairman of NCDC, as saying that the summit would provide a strategic platform for stakeholders to examine the challenges and opportunities confronting the region and chart a new course for its transformation.
Akighir said the gathering would facilitate the development of a shared vision and actionable framework for the sustainable development of the North Central geopolitical zone.
Also, Dr Cyril Tsenyil, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, said the summit was convened to galvanise stakeholders towards actualising the mandate of the commission.
Tsenyil said the event would also provide an opportunity to align the region’s development priorities with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said it would create a framework for partnerships, investments and interventions aimed at accelerating economic growth and improving the quality of life of the people.
“Transforming the North Central region cannot be achieved by government alone,” Tsenyil said, calling for stronger collaboration among governments at all levels, the private sector, development partners, communities and other stakeholders.
The Chairman of the Summit Steering Committee, Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali, said the commission was working with its technical partner, Phillips Consulting, to ensure that the summit produced meaningful outcomes.
According to the statement, the opening ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 14, while the second day will feature panel discussions, technical and breakout sessions, side meetings and other strategic engagements.
The commission said the summit was expected to produce broad stakeholder consensus and concrete recommendations for the formulation and implementation of the long-term development blueprint.
It said the blueprint would seek to position the North Central as a major hub for economic growth, infrastructure, investment, innovation and social development in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu is expected to attend the summit as Distinguished Guest of Honour, while Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as Special Guest.
“Retired Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Ndatsu-Umaru, former Military Governor of Kano and Kwara States, will serve as chairman of the occasion, while Prof. Iorwuese Hagher, will deliver the keynote address and lead discussions on the Summit’s central theme and the imperative for a long-term, coordinated, and sustainable development strategy for the region.
“Former Heads of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, are also expected to attend as Fathers of the Day.
“Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Chairman of the North Central Governors’ Forum, will serve as Chief Host,” the statement read. (NAN)(NAN)
