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<p>By Abba Anwar</p><div class="jjEBO6qW" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>The patriotic posture and genuine love for regional development from the side of the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, saved face for the just concluded and One-Day North West Stakeholders&#8217; Development Summit, that took place at Umaru Musa Yar&#8217;Adua Conference Centre, Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna.</p>
<p>With the theme &#8220;Advancing A Coordinated Regional Development Agenda For North-West Nigeria.&#8221; To see the visible hands of the DSP in a more glaring way, the Summit was organized by the Senate and House Committees&#8217; on North-West Development Commission, in good collaboration with North-West Governors&#8217; Forum and North-West Development Commission.</p>
<p>The shabby representation of political leaders, especially at the state levels, was too defeating and undermining of the original objective of the Summit. But when the Deputy Senate President, arrived, the Summit was injected with life and survival strategy.</p><div class="QYpmBPnt" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>To understand how important, is the region in the sight of the DSP, he had an occasion to attend, as a representative of the Senate President, His Excellency Godswill Akpabio, almost the same time with that of the Summit&#8217;s.</p>
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<p>He was billed to represent Akpabio at a grand event to receive the Governor of Taraba state, Agbu Kefas, in Jalingo, the state capital. But DSP ATTENDED THE SUMMIT IN KADUNA, BEFORE PROCEEDING TO JALINGO. That was a show of concern and love for the region. Bravo DSP! Bravo!!</p>
<p>The Kaduna Summit, was meant to create corridor for a high level platform for working hand in hand among federal, states actors, development partners and other meaningful stakeholders. To also strengthen regional coordination between the National Assembly, state governments, North West Development Commission and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies across the region, for meaningful regional development.</p>
<p>One can see how Distinguished Senator is running helter-skelter to create synergy between the National Assembly and the regional Commission. Out of the zeal to see to the growth and development of the region.</p>
<p>At the Summit, DSP was the highest elected official from the zone, who attended and injected enthusiasm to all who were at the hall. Including an elder statesman, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, who complained bitterly about the absence of all the seven governors from the zone, North West.</p>
<p>Without fear of mincing words, I can add that, part of the reasons why the Deputy Senate President found it specifically important to bless the occasion, was his clear understanding of the Summit&#8217;s object that, there is a need to promote integrated and cross sectoral approaches to address key challenges facing the region.</p>
<p>While at the same time, believing that, the idea of encouraging private sector participation and supporting development partners engagement in financing and delivering sustainable development projects, is key in today&#8217;s Nigeria, he squeezed his schedules to be in Kaduna, no matter what. This is an excellent exhibition of statesmanship and responsible leadership.</p>
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<p>Distinguished Senator&#8217;s zeal and commitment is partly acknowledged in his remarks at the event, when he said, &#8220;ðð¡ð ðð¨ð«ðð¡ ððð¬ð ð¢ð¬ ð«ðððð² ðð¨ ð«ð¢ð¬ð— ð§ð¨ð ð¢ð§ ð¢ð¬ð¨ð¥ððð¢ð¨ð§, ðð®ð ð¢ð§ ðð¨ð¨ð«ðð¢ð§ðððð ð©ðð«ðð§ðð«ð¬ð¡ð¢ð© ð°ð¢ðð¡ ðð¡ð ðð¢ð ðð«ð¢ðð§ ððððð«ððð¢ð¨ð§ ðð¡ð«ð¨ð®ð ð¡ North West Development Commission (ðððð), ððð§ðð°ðð ðð¨ð©ð ðð ðð§ðð.&#8221;</p>
<p>One can understand how keen is the DSP concerning the Summit, hence his show of interest and commitment. He said, &#8220;I approach this gathering not merely as a political leader or a critical stakeholder, but as a constitutional trustee of the Nigerian project. I stand here with a profound sense of responsibility to ensure that our region does not merely participate in national development, but takes its rightful place in shaping the direction of things.&#8221;</p>
<p>Many people at the event believed that, there could be some forces outside the composition of the Commission, that become bottlenecks for the proper and immediate take-off of the Commission, more than a year after the consent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Whether true or false, I can&#8217;t say. Hence, the none participation of big hands and faces in the Commission&#8217;s activities. Including today&#8217;s Summit.</p>
<p>That thinking, could be the reason why he further explained that, &#8220;It was from this understanding (of regional integration and development) that the idea of the North West Development Commission was conceived. The Commission was not created as another bureaucratic layer, but as a strategic institution—designed to aggregate our regional priorities, harmonize development efforts, and provide a long-term framework for addressing the structural challenges that have historically constrained our progress.&#8221;</p>
<p>The Kaduna state Governor was ably represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe. Kano State Governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruk and Katsina State Governor was also represented by a senior government official.</p>
<p>Observations indicate that, His Excellency Jibrin, has genuine commitment for the Commission. He mentioned part of the reasons why he is so much attached to the Commission. When he said, in his remarks, &#8220;As we are aware, the North West is home to tens of millions of Nigerians. It is Nigeria’s largest agricultural belt, a major contributor to food security, commerce, and human capital. Yet we are also confronted by complex challenges—ranging from insecurity and infrastructure deficits to climate stress, youth unemployment, and uneven access to social services. These challenges do not respect state boundaries; therefore, our solutions must transcend them.&#8221;</p>
<p>To the chagrin of many, the Summit folded up without any official closure. No Communique no questions and answers sessions. Certificates were not presented to participants and all the highly placed officials were seen in total and absolute shock. While observing a near turn-of-events.</p>
<p>But the appearance of the National Assembly, Senate and House Chairmen Committees on North West Development Commission, Senator Babangida Hussaini and Dr Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi respectively, as well as all the three Senators from Kano state, DSP inclusive, injected some courage to the organisers.</p>
<p>Honourable Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Bunkure&#8217;s participation was also another source of courage to the organizers. Not to talk of all the lead paper presenters, who were all around. Not to talk of the very large turn out of participants from all walks of life from the region.</p>
<p>I do not include the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Commission and the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer, Lawal Sama&#8217;ila Abdullahi and Prof Shehu Abdullahi Ma&#8217;aji, because their presence is basic and necessary. So they were there live and direct. The presence of the Director General of North West Governors&#8217; Forum, Maryam Musa Yahaya, was another source of hope to the organisers and innocent participants.</p>
<p>Anwar writes from Kano<br />
Saturday, 31st January, 2026</p>
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