Tinubu, Gowon, IBB, Abdulsalami To Headline North Central 20-year Devt Summit

President Bola Tinubu will lead a historic gathering of past and present leaders, traditional rulers and development experts in Abuja as the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) unveils an ambitious 20-year roadmap to transform the North Central region.

The commission stated that its maiden 2-day North Central Stakeholders’ Development Summit holding from September 14, is themed, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region.”

According to a statement on Friday in Lafia by the commission’s head of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr Makut Simon iMacham, the summit is being positioned as the defining moment for the region’s future – moving from fragmented interventions to a coordinated, long-term plan for economic growth, infrastructure, investment and social inclusion.

President Tinubu is expected as distinguished guest of honour, while Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as special guest of honour.

In a symbolic show of unity and inter-generational leadership, three former Heads of State and illustrious sons of the region – General Yakubu Gowon, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar – will attend as Fathers of the Day.

Former Military Governor of Kano and Kwara States, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Ndatsu Umaru (rtd) will chair the occasion, while Nasarawa State governor and chairman of the North Central Governors’ Forum, Engr Abdullahi Sule, will be the chief host, leading his six counterparts and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike.

Renowned scholar and diplomat, Prof Iorwuese Hagher, will deliver the keynote address, setting the tone for deliberations on a sustainable development strategy for the zone.

According to the NCDC chairman, Barr. Cosmas Akighir, the summit will provide a strategic platform for stakeholders to “collectively examine the development challenges and opportunities confronting the region, and chart a new course for its holistic transformation.”

The managing director/CEO of the commission, Dr Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, said the summit is deliberately designed to actualise the commission’s mandate and align regional priorities with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu Administration.

“Transforming the North Central region cannot be achieved by government alone. We need strong collaboration among governments at all levels, the private sector, development partners, communities and other stakeholders,” Dr Tsenyil stressed.

Chairman of the Summit Steering Committee, Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali, said the commission is working with its technical partner, Phillips Consulting, to ensure that the summit produces concrete, actionable outcomes that reflect the aspirations of the people.

Day one, Monday, will feature the opening ceremony, while day two, September 14, will be dedicated to panel discussions, technical and breakout sessions, and strategic side meetings.

At the end of the deliberations, the summit is expected to produce a broad-based consensus and concrete recommendations for the formulation and implementation of the long-term blueprint – a plan that seeks to position North Central as a major hub for economic growth, infrastructure, investment, innovation and social development in the country.