The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Boards and Management Teams of three newly established Development Commissions for the South-South, South-West, and North-Central regions.
The ceremony, held on Thursday at the Rotunda Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, was performed by the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who charged the officials to carry out their duties with diligence and integrity.
Momoh urged the appointees to align their programmes and policies with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in areas such as economic reforms, national security, agricultural development, energy, infrastructure, education, health, and social welfare.
“The attainment of the presidential deliverables assigned to our Ministry depends largely on your performance. You must consolidate on the efforts of the Ministry by pursuing projects that are people-oriented and free from selfish or unrealistic motivations,” the Minister said.
He stressed that the Commissions must rebuild public trust in governance by ensuring transparency, inclusiveness, and collaboration with state governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to drive development in their respective regions.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu described the establishment of the Commissions as a strategic move by Tinubu to bridge developmental gaps and harness regional strengths.
“The mandate of these Commissions is to act as catalysts for infrastructure renewal, social empowerment, and economic diversification. They are designed to serve as drivers of peace, stability, and sustainable development,” Ahmadu said, while calling for prudence and accountability in resource management.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mary Ada Ogbe, in her vote of thanks, commended the President for his vision in creating the Commissions and expressed optimism in the capability of the board members to deliver on their mandate.
She noted that four other commissions under the Ministry — NDDC, NEDC, SEDC, and NWDC — were already operational.
Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke, advised the newly inaugurated teams against awarding “unnecessary and bogus contracts,” urging them to focus only on projects that directly impact ordinary Nigerians.
The appointees, in their responses, pledged loyalty and commitment to their assignments, while expressing gratitude to the Federal Government for the opportunity to serve.
The event was attended by top government officials, including representatives of the governors of Nasarawa and Plateau States, as well as the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Iman Ibrahim.
