By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – Youths from the six North Central States of Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have lauded President Bola Tinubu for assenting to creation of the North Central Development Commission saying, the gesture is a dream come true for the region.

The youths under the aegis of North Central Youths Movement also embarked on an appreciation visit to the former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Simon Mwadkwon for the contributory role he played saying the Commission would tackle challenges and promote economic growth, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the region.

Speaking shortly after the visit in Jos, Plateau State, the leader of the group, Alex Audu noted the visit would extend to other key stakeholders who played vital roles in the formulation and passage of the bill which columnated in the establishment of North Central Development Commission.

Audu recounted how they began advocacy for the establishment of the North Central Commission in December, 2016 and their subsequent visit to the former Senate Minority Leader in 2019 while he was in the green chamber following his presentation and subsequent passage of the North Central Development Commission (Establishment) Bill HB 23 in 2019 and 2021 respectively, even though President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent.

He added that the bill was later co-sponsored by the Senator Representing Benue South, Abba Moro, and other Senators across the North Central Geopolitical Zone and it was passed and subsequently got the assent of President Tinubu.

Reacting to the visit, Senator Mwadkwon said “It’s worth commending, and I want to thank all of you for coming, everyone is trying to lay claim to ownership of the bill. But for me, it was never about that. When you have a dream, and that dream becomes a reality—even if not during your time—you should be able to appreciate and thank God because it’s something you always wanted to see happen…

“My colleagues in the 10th Assembly decided that the dream should not die, and they carried on the struggle. A number of senators went ahead to co-sponsor it. I know of Abba Moro, Sen Sani Musa from Niger, and a few others—Senator Zam’s name was there too. Thank God today, it has become history. For me, it’s not about taking the credit but the joy of seeing a dream I had become a reality. That is my joy.

“So, for you to have sacrificed your time, energy, and resources to be here today, honestly, my joy knows no bounds. It shows that we still have young, vibrant youths in the North Central who have a vision for our zone.”

Members of the delegation included the convener of the group Alex Audu from Plateau State, Muhammad Saba from Niger State, Dominic Anyebe from Benue State, Bello Nakre from Nasarawa State, Ibrahim Jimoh from Kwara, and Gabriel Mishark from the FCT.