The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has issued a clarion call for urgent, coordinated action to tackle the deepening crisis of insecurity, poverty, and infrastructural decay in Nigeria’s North-West region.
Speaking at the inauguration of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) at the National Assembly, Abbas underscored the need for a decisive and strategic intervention to halt the region’s downward spiral.
> “For too long, the North-West has faced systemic neglect, worsening insecurity, and economic decline. This Commission must be the catalyst for real, measurable change,” Abbas declared.
To ensure sustainable impact, Abbas tasked the NWDC with conducting a comprehensive needs assessment and formulating a 10-year strategic plan anchored on innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships and development bonds.
He lamented the devastating effect of insecurity, particularly on industries that once thrived in the region, such as the Kaduna and Kano textile sector, which he noted has nearly collapsed due to unchecked violence and failed economic policies.
> “Banditry and rural violence have crippled agricultural production, displaced thousands, and forced children out of school. These are existential threats to the region’s survival,” he warned.
Abbas commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing regional development, highlighting initiatives like the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy and the National Livestock Transformation Plan, which have reportedly boosted livestock production by 5% annually, benefiting over 1.5 million households.
He further praised Tinubu’s commitment to decentralization, citing local government autonomy and electricity distribution reforms as game-changing policies designed to empower communities and drive grassroots development.
> “The establishment of a Ministry for Regional Development and the President’s swift assent to the Regional Development Bills demonstrate his resolve. Now, it is time for this Commission to translate policy into action,” Abbas stated.
The Speaker charged the newly inaugurated House Committee on the NWDC to ensure that the Commission delivers on its mandate without political interference or mismanagement, stressing that revitalizing the North-West is a national priority.
> “A prosperous North-West means a stronger Nigeria. This is a call to action for all stakeholders—state governments, traditional rulers, civil society, and the private sector. We must act now,” he urged.
In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on the NWDC, Hon. Gumi, pledged to adopt a transparent and results-driven approach in addressing the region’s security, economic, and infrastructural challenges.
> “This is not just the inauguration of a committee; it is a day filled with hope and renewed determination. Our people have endured hardship for too long, but today marks a new chapter,” Gumi affirmed.
He outlined the Committee’s broad mandate, which includes:
✅ Monitoring NWDC activities to ensure efficiency and accountability.
✅ Engaging development partners and leveraging international support.
✅ Collaborating with the private sector to drive sustainable economic growth.
✅ Spearheading rehabilitation and resettlement efforts across the seven states of the North-West—Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
Gumi emphasized that security remains the cornerstone of the Commission’s mandate, warning that sustainable development cannot be achieved in a region plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and economic stagnation.
> “We bear a duty to ensure that this Commission does not become another failed intervention but a model of efficiency, accountability, and impact,” he stressed.
Gumi assured Nigerians that NWDC initiatives will be people-driven, inclusive, and transparent, adding that leadership integrity, competence, and innovation will be critical to the Commission’s success.
To achieve this, he outlined key strategic priorities:
✔️ Robust oversight visits to NWDC projects to ensure transparency.
✔️ Budgetary alignment with regional priorities to maximize impact.
✔️ Partnerships with global organizations and private investors.
✔️ Quarterly progress reviews to track implementation and recalibrate strategies.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of learning from the successes and failures of other regional development commissions to avoid inefficiencies and policy missteps.
As part of the proposed work plan, Gumi identified youth empowerment, infrastructural development, security enhancement, and leveraging the region’s agricultural and commercial potential as key pillars for long-term prosperity.
> “It is not enough to have policies on paper; we must ensure they translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives,” he said.
He called for unwavering collaboration among federal and state governments, traditional rulers, civil society, and the private sector, urging all stakeholders to work collectively to fulfill the NWDC’s mandate.
“With unity, dedication, and shared purpose, we will address challenges, seize opportunities, and create lasting change. Together, we will lay the foundation for a prosperous and thriving North-West,” Gumi concluded.
A Pivotal Moment for the North-West
The inauguration of the House Committee on the NWDC signals a renewed commitment to tackling the region’s long-standing challenges. However, whether this initiative will bring genuine transformation or become another bureaucratic endeavor remains to be seen.
For the millions of Nigerians in the North-West yearning for security, economic stability, and development, the NWDC must rise above politics and deliver real, measurable progress. The time for action is now!
PIONEER NEWS 