NWDC Commends Multi-Agency Task Force, Seeks Collaboration To Tackle Drug Abuse And Insecurity In The North-West

"Drug abuse is fueling violence. Rehabilitation must go hand-in-hand with law enforcement." — Prof. Shehu Ma'aji

 The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has commended the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Practices for significant gains recorded in the fight against drug abuse, and has expressed readiness to collaborate on regional solutions to tackle the menace across the North-West.

According to the Director, Press and Public Relations, Abdulrashid Yusuf Safana, the commendation came during a courtesy visit to NWDC's management on Wednesday by the Task Force, led by its Chairman, Barrister Muhiyi Magaji Rimingado.

Speaking at the meeting, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NWDC, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma'aji, said drug abuse has become a major driver of insecurity, poverty, and youth restiveness in the region.

"The North-West cannot achieve its development goals if a generation of our young people is lost to drug abuse. The data before us is alarming, and the link between drug abuse and the rise in gun violence is now clear to all of us," Prof. Ma'aji said.

Briefing the Commission, Barr. Rimingado disclosed that within 45 days of its inauguration, the Task Force recorded over 200 raids across vulnerable communities and secured over 200 convictions, with some offenders sentenced to up to 10 years' imprisonment. The operations also led to the recovery of weapons and other exhibits. He added that 120 of the most critical and vulnerable offenders are currently undergoing rehabilitation at two correctional and reformatory centres.

Rimingado described the Kano State Government's approach as two-pronged: aggressive law enforcement and mass rehabilitation.

"Government did not set up this committee only to arrest and prosecute. If we jail them for 10 years and release them back to the streets with no reform, we have achieved nothing. That is why we are removing the most vulnerable from the streets and putting them in reformatories," he said.

In his response, Prof. Ma'aji said NWDC will work to integrate drug prevention, rehabilitation, and youth empowerment into its regional development blueprint for Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

"At NWDC, our mandate is to rebuild the North-West. That means building infrastructure, but also rebuilding people. We will work with the Task Force and other stakeholders to expand rehabilitation centres, provide skills acquisition, and create jobs as alternatives to crime," he added.

Prof. Ma'aji expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support to the Commission and for establishing the Multi-Agency Task Force to combat drug abuse in the state. "This initiative is a testament to the Governor's concern for youth welfare and development," he said.

The Commission called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and parents to join the campaign against drug abuse, noting that security and development must go together.

The North-West Development Commission was established to drive infrastructure development, human capital investment, and peace-building initiatives across the seven North-West states.

𝐍𝐖𝐃𝐂, 𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡-𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧

Earlier today, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the North-West Development Commission (NWDC), Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Nigeria, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Professor Ma’aji reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to driving strategic partnerships with key federal institutions in advancing the development objectives of the North-West region. He emphasized that as a newly established regional development agency, the NWDC is poised to collaborate closely with NEMA to strengthen disaster risk reduction, enhance emergency response, and promote sustainable development across the North-West geopolitical zone.

He highlighted that the region continues to face challenges such as flooding, drought, insecurity, and displacement, noting that these issues require a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach. He shared the Commission’s vision to work closely with NEMA in developing joint frameworks for data collection, humanitarian intervention, and community-based disaster preparedness. Prof. Ma’aji also expressed optimism that this partnership would eliminate duplication of efforts and ensure more efficient and impactful outcomes for vulnerable communities.

Mrs. Zubaida Umar commended the NWDC for its proactive approach and reaffirmed NEMA’s readiness to collaborate with the Commission. She briefed the delegation on NEMA’s zonal operational offices in Kaduna, Kano, and Sokoto, which coordinate disaster preparedness and response efforts across the region. She also underscored the Agency’s extensive partnerships with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Emergency Management Committees all geared toward bringing emergency response closer to the grassroots.

The Director General thereafter conducted the NWDC delegation on a guided tour of NEMA’s Operations Centre, where she provided insights into the Agency’s coordination framework with sister organizations. She explained that the Centre leverages real-time monitoring systems to oversee emergency activities nationwide, ensuring data-driven decision-making and timely response operations.

Both leaders reaffirmed their joint commitment to coordinated interventions, capacity building, and post-disaster recovery efforts ensuring that communities across the North-West are better prepared, supported, and empowered to thrive in the face of adversity.

North West Development Commission Explores NWDC $200m Agricultural Investment With Global Partners

North-West Development Commission (NWDC) is exploring a major agricultural partnership valued at USD 200 million, in collaboration with Shanghai Integrated Infrastructure Development Limited (SIIDL) and Peerless Advisory Limited.

The proposed agreement is aimed at boosting commercial farming across the North-West region. Representatives of SIIDL and Peerless Advisory visited the Commission this week to signal their commitment and interest in working with NWDC.

If finalized, the initiative will transform key agricultural value chains including sesame, soya beans, rice, hibiscus, and wheat. The programme will also introduce modern mechanized farming equipment and farmer training schemes to boost productivity and strengthen food security.

SIIDL would act as the anchor investor, potentially providing up to 80 per cent of the project funding through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). At the same time, NWDC would contribute its share as counterpart support, including land allocation and facilitation of government approvals.

The NWDC leadership highlighted that this initiative aligns with the Commission’s long-term goal to unlock the agricultural potential of the North-West. It marks a significant step towards a transformative public-private partnership capable of creating a lasting impact for communities and the broader economy.

Permanent Secretary Visits NWDC Facilities in Kano, Commends Support from Stakeholders

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Mary A. Ogbe, on Thursday paid a one-day working visit to Kano State to inspect facilities designated for the takeoff of the North-West Development Commission (NWDC).

Dr. Ogbe, accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry, was received by NWDC officials in Kano where she toured facilities donated by the MAAUN Group and BUA Group. The structures are intended to serve as the Commission’s temporary headquarters and Kano State office.

The Permanent Secretary also visited a site donated by the Kano State Government, which is expected to serve as the Commission’s permanent headquarters in the near future.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Ogbe commended the generosity and foresight of the MAAUN Group, BUA Group, and the Kano State Government. She described their contributions as vital milestones that will enable the NWDC to establish a physical presence and begin implementing its development agenda in the North-West region.

“These efforts reflect a clear commitment to the growth and transformation of the region,” she noted.

The NWDC was recently established to drive coordinated socio-economic development across the seven states of the North-West geopolitical zone. The Commission is currently finalizing arrangements to begin operations.

𝐍𝐖𝐃𝐂 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the North-West Development Commission (NWDC), Prof. Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, joined other prominent leaders and stakeholders at the 2-day interactive session on Government–Citizen engagement, organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation at Arewa House, Kaduna. 

Convened under the theme of strengthening dialogue and rebuilding trust, the forum is a continuation of the Foundation’s earlier efforts to hold leaders to their word and ensure Northern voices shape national policy. 

The forum brought together a distinguished array of Northern leaders, including the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; federal ministers; and state governors. The session served as a strategic platform to assess the progress of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and to drive progressive dialogue for national development.

In his keynote address, former Niger State Governor and Foundation Chair, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, emphasized that the challenges confronting the North; insurgency, poverty, youth unemployment, out‑of‑school children and porous borders are deeply rooted and predate the current administration. While President Tinubu inherited these longstanding issues, Aliyu rightly called on Northern elites and citizens to share the responsibility by stepping forward with constructive action and accountability.

Vice President Kashim Shettima aptly noted, “What we nurture today is not just a government of the people, but a government with the people.” Echoing this sentiment, the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, outlined key security achievements in the North, while state governors reaffirmed their strong support for the administration’s reform-driven development efforts.

The presence of federal ministers, policy advisers, and Northern stakeholders in Kaduna is a clear demonstration of this government’s openness to engagement and critique.

NWDC remains firmly aligned with the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda and is committed to partnering with federal and state governments, traditional institutions, and local communities to ensure delivery on critical priorities from education and security to infrastructure and economic inclusion.

North-West Development Commission to partner with Sydani group to drive regional growth

The Managing Director of the North-West Development Commission recently held a strategic meeting with the management of Sydani Group, a leading Nigerian consulting firm specializing in development, health, and social impact initiatives. The discussions centered on fostering a collaborative partnership aimed at driving sustainable development in the North West region of Nigeria.

Sydani Group, known for its expertise in implementing innovative solutions to address complex development challenges, brings a wealth of experience in project management, capacity building, and policy advocacy. The proposed partnership seeks to leverage Sydani Group's technical expertise and the Commission's regional insights to implement programs that will enhance infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment in the North West.

Both parties expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving inclusive and impactful development. The meeting concluded with a commitment to finalize a framework for joint initiatives that will address the pressing needs of the region and improve the quality of life for its residents.

This partnership marks a significant step towards harnessing local and international expertise to accelerate development in the North West, aligning with the broader goals of national progress and sustainable growth.

Speaker Abbas Pledges National Assembly’s Full Support for North West Development Commission

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has assured the North West Development Commission (NWDC) of the unwavering support of the National Assembly to ensure its success in addressing the region’s pressing challenges.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the NWDC board to his office on Wednesday, Speaker Abbas described the meeting as historic, marking the first official engagement between the House leadership and the newly established commission. He emphasized the urgency of the commission’s mandate, given the multiple socio-economic issues affecting the North West.

“Never in the history of Nigeria and the North West have we faced such dire circumstances—insurgency, banditry, unemployment, drug-related issues, and many more. The statistics show that this region is the worst hit,” he noted.

The Speaker called on the pioneer board members to lay a solid foundation for the commission, ensuring that it effectively addresses the developmental needs of the region. “What you do today will determine the future of the agency. It must truly be interventionist in nature, identifying and addressing critical gaps,” he added.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the House and the entire National Assembly to the success of the NWDC, stating, “This commission is our creation. We will do everything within our power to ensure it thrives.”

In response, the Chairman of the NWDC board, Alhaji Lawal Samaila Yakawada, expressed gratitude to the Speaker for his instrumental role in the commission’s establishment. He assured that the board is fully committed to fulfilling its mandate with transparency and accountability.

“We will not disappoint you. We will work diligently to meet the expectations that led to the creation of this commission,” Yakawada stated, adding that the board would seek regular engagements with the National Assembly for guidance and collaboration.

The NWDC delegation, led by Managing Director Prof. Shehu Abdullahi Ma'aji