President Tinubu Installs North-West Development Commission Board to Foster Growth and Close Development Gaps

In a historic effort to drive equitable progress and bridge regional gaps, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR inaugurated the governing board of the newly created North West Development Commission (NWDC) today in Abuja. The landmark event underscores the federal government’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development in the region.  

Addressing attendees, Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh FNSE, hailed the commission as “pivotal instrument for unlocking the cultural, economic, and human potential of the zone.” He lauded President Tinubu’s foresight and the National Assembly’s expedited legislative backing, emphasizing that the bodies will “tackle inequality, spur economic advancement, and elevate living standards.” Momoh further called for synergy with state governments, private enterprises, and international partners, pledging rigorous oversight to ensure accountability.  

Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Uba Maigari Ahmadu, aligned the commission with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting the commission’s role in “launching strategic infrastructure to stimulate prosperity and improve citizen welfare.”  

Senate Committee leaders echoed support for the initiative. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (SEDC Committee Chairman) urged innovative solutions, stating, “Priorities must shift to railways, power plants, and job-creating industries—not just roads” while Senator Babagida Husseini (NWDC Committee Chairman) vowed stringent fiscal oversight, promising to “track every naira for maximum public benefit.”  

The NWDC Chairman, Lawal Samaila Abdullahi, stressed cross-regional partnerships to harmonize development efforts while the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji of the North-West Development Commission vowed to deliver tangible results. Ma’aji outlined plans to leverage the North-West’s resources for infrastructure upgrades and improved livelihoods.  

The event closed with a unified resolve to prioritize transparency, innovation, and results-driven governance, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s regional development agenda.

CSO Urges Tinubu to appoint remaining NAHCON Board members

A Hajj and Umrah Civil Society Organization (CSO), the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint the remaining members of the board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as enshrined on its establishment act.

 

The President had on 17TH October 2023 announced the appointment of Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi as the Ag Chairman of the country’s apex Hajj regulatory body. 

 

The President also announced additional members of the board and forwarded same to the Senate for confirmation. They have all been confirmed and inaugurated into office.

 

IHR in a statement on Thursday in Abuja signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed said the new board of NAHCON is still incomplete.

 

Section 3 of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Establishment ACT 2006 under Composition of leadership of the commission clearly states that “the commission shall consist of the - (a) a chairman, who shall be-, (i) the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Commission; (ii) responsible to the Commission for the day-to-day management of the affairs of the Commission; 

 

B (b) three full-time members and six part-time members representing each geo- political zone provided that two of whom shall be women; 

(c) a representative each of the Ministry of- (i) Aviation; (ii) Foreign Affairs; (iii) Internal Affairs (Immigration); (iv) Finance; (v) Health; (d) a representative of the- (i) Central Bank of Nigeria; (ii) Jama'atul Nasril Islam; and (iii) Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.”

                                                                              

Based on the recent appointments by Mr President, it is clear that representatives of some key agencies are still missing and this may affect the smooth running of Hajj operations in the country.

 

“Board members representing the Ministries of Aviation, Health, Finance and Internal Affairs (Immigration), have all not been announced. Same goes for the representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

 

“These members often coordinate activities related to their establishments and some of them are very important and cannot be ignored. The structure of hajj preparations and operations requires NAHCON to function at full operational capacity as envisaged by the framers of NAHCON Establishment act.

 

“For instance, the member representing the Ministry of Health should have been at the forefront of the ongoing recruitment of medical personnel for Hajj 2024. In the same vein, the representative of Nigerian Immigration Service should be helping secure Passports for intending pilgrims just as the representatives of CBN and Aviation should have been helping with facilitating the needed foreign exchange and preparations of selected airlines,” IHR said.

 

The CSO therefore urges the President to appoint the representatives of these MDAs because of the important role they play in successful Hajj operations.