Mr Ibrahim Sani Shawai, a foreign-based journalist and former Managing Director of the Northern Tambari TV, has commended the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, for his efforts in ensuring the establishment of the North West Development Commission (NWDC).

Shawai, in a press statement given to journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, said Jibrin’s sheer commitment to the cause of sponsoring the bill and midwifing the legislative processes that eventually secured the NWDC “showed his love for the people and good intentions for the development of the region.”

He was hopeful that the act establishing NWDC would bring a huge sigh of relief to the region, transforming it into a hub of agricultural, economic, and industrial excellence, thereby ensuring a prosperous future for the people.

Shawai said: “The task before the NWDC is not small, considering the impact of insecurity, youth unemployment, the high poverty rate in the region, and the need to pull a lot of resources together to rebuild the infrastructure and hopes of those who have been directly affected by the impact in the states of the region.”

He commended Prof. Shehu Ma’aji, saying, “There is no doubt that the NWDC, under his leadership, will get the job well done.”

He urged the NWDC, under Shehu’s leadership, to aggressively transform the region “with initiatives that will target key sectors where the region’s comparative advantage lies, towards changing the narrative for the people of the North-West.”

“To achieve this, the commission should focus on initiatives that promote economic growth, social and industrial development, and infrastructure improvement, as well as creating job opportunities.”

“In this regard, all hands must be on deck to support the NWDC in its success. The people must build a culture of responsibility and ownership for any programs, policies, initiatives, and projects aimed at improving the welfare and well-being of the people residing within the region,” he sought.