From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the recent signing into law of the Bill establishing the Northwest Development Commission into law.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba stated this in a statement made available to the media today.
The ACF said it is optimistic that the law marks a new watershed in what will surely be a new lease of life for the people of the geopolitical zone,
The region, according to the Forum, comprising seven states, namely Kebbi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara, have been developmentally challenged.
With an estimated total population of 49 million (or 28% of Nigeria’s total), 45.5 million (93%) remain in a state of multidimensional poverty, with an intensity ratio of 42.7%, as of 2022, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
“Thus, the Northwest remains at the very bottom of all Nigeria’s developmental indices and living conditions.
“The region that continues to be devastated by insecurity, banditry, and associated challenges, and indeed forming the ground zero of insecurity and terrorism
“It remains to be said that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the new law will utilize the resources allocated to the Commission to make a visible impact on the lives of the people.
“ACF calls on state and local government area councils in collaboration with the Federal authorities, the law marks a new vista in the socioeconomic and political development of the Zone.
“All hands must be on deck, to see to it that the teeming and largely agrarian people of this area will have the dark clouds of underdevelopment removed from their environment in its totality.
Once again, thanks Mr. President, and all who ensured that this law sees the light of day.
“ACF extends warm appreciation and gratitude to Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Deputy President of the 10th Senate of the Federation and indeed all who contributed to the enactment of the law also deserve our gratitude
