Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh has inaugurated the Governing Boards and Management teams of three Development Commissions under the supervision of the ministry namely: South South, South West and North Central.
The Minister performed the ceremony today, 28th August, 2025 at the Rotunda Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, urging the officials inaugurated to perform their mandates and duties diligently, ensuring that initiated programmes and policies align with the key priority areas of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including economic reforms for sustainable growth, national security, agricultural development, energy and natural resource harnessing, infrastructure enhancement, investments in education, health, and social welfare among others.
According to him, the President has assigned Presidential Deliverables to the Ministry that would contribute to the attainment of the Federal Government’s Eight Priorities, for which a Performance Bond had been signed with the President for effective implementation. “The attainment of the Deliverables is hinged on your performance to consolidate on the efforts of the Ministry”, he said, announcing that the Ministry in turn will initiate the process to obtain their full commitment to the Deliverables by signing a Performance Bond with them very soon.
Speaking further, the Minister said the inauguration signals hope to millions of people in the three Regions that fall within their mandate, adding that as a succour of the ordinary Nigerians in the Regions, they should initiate projects and policies that are people oriented and beneficial, as well as tailored towards accelerating the development of the three regions for equitable and balanced growth. “This will only be attainable if you shun the impulses for embarking on unrealistic projects motivated by personal and selfish gains”, he stressed, even as he challenged them to demonstrate highest ethical standard and comply with government regulations.
“Your role isn’t just about distributing funds or managing projects; it’s about rebuilding trust in governance by delivering results that truly improve lives. You need to ensure responsibility, careful planning, and inclusiveness in decision-making. Let your leadership embody fairness, transparency, and dedication to the people you serve, the Minister charged, urging them to also promote collaborative engagement with the State governments in their respective regions, the organized private Organizations and other critical Stakeholders towards generating new initiatives that will assist to deliver the targeted plans of positively transforming the region.
Earlier in an opening remarks, Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Regional Development, His Excellency, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, said the establishment of these Commissions is more than just an administrative task. “It is a strategic move by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to establish frameworks that addresses developmental gaps, leverage regional advantages, and create opportunities for growth across our six geopolitical zones”.
According to him, the mandate of these Commissions is clearly to act as catalysts for infrastructure renewal, social empowerment, and economic diversification within their respective regions. They are to serve as drivers of peace, stability, and sustainable development by tackling specific challenges, coordinating projects, and mobilizing stakeholders towards shared progress.
The Minister challenged them to ensure prudent use of resources, promoting transparency and accountability.
He commended the Honourable Minister, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ada Ogbe, technical teams, and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly to ensure success of the inauguration, ascribing it to dedication and spirit of service that drives the Ministry.
Furthermore Maigari Ahmad, said “As we set these boards in motion, let us remember that regional development is not an end in itself but a means to strengthen our unity as a nation. The success of these Commissions will directly enhance the socio-economic stability of Nigeria”, he concluded, even as he prayed for rheir successful tenure in office.
In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Mary Ada Ogbe said she was humbled and overwhelmed by the esteemed Personalities that have honoured the Ministry with their presence, culminating in a successful outing.
She commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his visionary leadership in setting the developmental agenda for the socio-economic prosperity of Nigeria through the Renewed Hope agenda including the establishment of the Development Commissions and for appointing the members of the Governing Boards and Management Teams.
According to her, this is one of the testaments to the actualization of the Administration’s dream.
She said four Development Commissions (NDDC, NEDC, SEDC & NWDC) under the supervision of the Ministry had earlier commenced operations, stressing that today’s inauguration therefore kick-starts the process of officially handing over the operational baton to the Three Development Commissions in order to achieve the regional vision of the present Administration.
The Permanent Secretary expressed optimism in the capability of the members of the Governing Boards and Management Teams to deliver the desired transformation and realization of policy objectives of Government.
Representative of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Hon.Felix Uche Nwaeke, Deputy Chairman, Information , National Orientation, Ethics and Values, admonished Board members and management of the Commissions from awarding unnecessary and bogus contracts given the paucity of funds. “You should only carry out projects that you have enough funds to pay for and which have direct bearing on the ordinary Nigerian, assuring of the full support and co-operation of the National Assembly in ensuring that development gets closer to the people.
All appointees who responded were unanimous in commending the Federal Government for the opportunity to serve and assured of their unflinching commitment to their assignments.
Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Governor, Labaran Shuaibu Magani Phd, representing the Governor of Nasarawa State, H.E. Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, Representative of the Plateau State Governor, Bar. Caleb Manasseh Muftuang, Engr. Danladi Mwantok and Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iman Ibrahim…
Signed
Lawan Ahmed Danbazau mnipr
Head, Press and Public Relations ( MRD)
