The Kebbi State Government has provided office accommodation and two new Hilux vehicles to facilitate the take-off of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) in the state.
The Commission, during a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris in Birnin Kebbi, expressed its readiness to commence operations immediately.
Governor Idris welcomed the team and assured them of Kebbi’s full support in achieving the objectives for which the Commission was established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The NWDC has come to stay. The North West is an agrarian region, and my administration is committed to providing an enabling environment for you to succeed,” the Governor stated. “To begin with, I’m donating an office space and two new Hilux vehicles as part of your logistics needs.”
He urged the Commission to engage in fieldwork to assess the economic and agricultural potentials across Kebbi State.
Governor Idris emphasized that all North West governors had agreed to give maximum support to the Commission to fast-track growth and development in the region. He also highlighted security as a key regional challenge, noting Kebbi’s success in restoring peace.
“In Kebbi, we have overcome many of the past security challenges. Farmers in southern parts of the state have returned to their ancestral homes and resumed farming activities, recording bumper harvests.
‘ I witnessed this firsthand during my thank-you visit, where I was presented with hundreds of bags of grains, pepper, and 27 cows in appreciation — a clear sign of peace and serenity.”
He attributed past insecurity to infiltration from neighboring states, stating that there is currently no known bandit camp within Kebbi State.
The Governor expressed confidence in the calibre of members appointed to the NWDC and briefed them on his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, agriculture, healthcare, workers’ welfare, and industrialization.
He revealed that the state is currently constructing eight Skills Acquisition Centres to empower youth with vocational training, after which they will be supported with equipment and funding to establish their businesses.
Earlier, Chairman of the NWDC, Alhaji Lawal Isma’ila Yakawada, who led the delegation, said the Commission was not established to compete with governors but to complement their efforts in fast-tracking regional development.
“Our role is to support and collaborate with state governments to uplift the standard of living in the region.
‘Each geopolitical zone has its peculiar challenges, and the Commission is designed to address these for rapid development,” Yakawada said.
He acknowledged Kebbi as the nation’s food basket and pledged that the Commission would prioritize agriculture and agro-allied industries in line with the state’s economic vision.
“We have the resources to invest in line with your priorities. With your support, we will succeed. You are an exceptional governor and a visionary national leader. We look forward to your continued guidance and partnership,” Yakawada added.
Following the meeting, the NWDC delegation toured parts of Birnin Kebbi, including the newly completed ultra-modern State Secretariat, to witness firsthand the transformation driven by Governor Idris’ administration.
The seven states under the jurisdiction of the NWDC are Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa.
