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I’ll End Kidnapping and Other Criminal Activities in Kogi State, Admiral Usman Jibrin Vows

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By Ojone Grace Odaudu

The governorship candidate of the Accord Party in the forthcoming Governorship election in Kogi State, Admiral Usman Jibrin, has laid out his vision for a safer and more secure environment.

Speaking at a fundraising dinner organised by his friends and associates at the International Conference Center, Abuja on Monday, Jibrin pledged to eradicate kidnapping and criminal other activities in the state permanently within a remarkably short period of time once he assumes office.

Addressing participants at the well-attended event, Admiral Jibrin reiterated his commitment to tackling the rising menace of crime, particularly kidnapping, which has plagued Kogi State in recent years. His vow to eliminate these issues quickly has resonated among residents of the state who long for a safer environment to live and work.

Jibrin’s speech emphasized the urgency of addressing the security challenges that have hampered the state’s progress. According to him, “The people of Kogi State have endured the scourge of kidnapping and criminal activities for far too long. It is time for us to take back our state and ensure the safety and security of our citizens. I pledge to work tirelessly to eradicate these issues within a short period once I am elected as governor.”

While the specifics of his plan were not detailed during the speech due to its sensitive nature, Jibrin assured the audience that he had a comprehensive strategy in place, which he would unveil in due course.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration with law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and other stakeholders to address the root causes of criminal activities and to implement effective solutions.

“It is time for the good and peace-loving people of the state to feel the presence of government through the provision of a safe and secure environment, infrastructural and human capital development which they lacked for a long time” he said.

He further reiterated the need for political office holders to imbibe the spirit of servant-leadership which remains the only way to be on the same page with the people.

Speakers at the event, while making generous donations to his campaign, emphasized the need for the people of Kogi State to get it right this time by voting for the retired Naval Chief, considering his his level of education, wealth of professional and administrative experience, national and international exposure. These qualities, they said, stands him out amongst the contenders for the governorship position in the state.

It was also a consensus amongst the various speakers that Admiral Jibrin Usman was the only candidates amongst the crowd who had been proven to have the capacity and the zeal to tackle the plethora of issues that have hampered the state’s economic and social development before now.

Speaking to media on the sidelines, two prominent supporters of one of his major opponents said that they had to attend the event out of their belief that the Admiral had all it takes to deliver good governance to the people of Kogi State. They however preferred to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation.

Amongst those present at the event were politicians that cut across party lines, women and youth groups, retired security officers and public servants and captains of Industry.

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Personality Profile

Who’s Dr James Aduku Odaudu?

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Dr. James Aduku Odaudu is a Nigerian professional with extensive experience in public affairs, communications, and development administration. He holds degrees in Theatre and Communications Arts from the University of Jos and a PhD in Public Administration from Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

Throughout his career, Dr. Odaudu has played a key role in information management across various sectors, including health, communication, agriculture, security, and aviation. Following his retirement from the Federal Civil Service in April 2022, he was appointed as the Special Adviser on Public Affairs by the  Minister of Aviation.  He also served as the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), where he was responsible for transparent communication regarding aviation incidents and investigations.

Beyond his contributions to public affairs, Dr. Odaudu is a development administrator with a strong interest in public-private partnerships and rural development. His scholarly work includes published articles on development issues in major academic and research journals.

A deeply public-spirited individual, Dr. Odaudu is known for his compassion toward the less privileged, particularly orphans and widows. His commitment to social welfare and community development underscores his dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

Dr James Aduku Odaudu

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Addressing Regional Infrastructure Deficits through the North Central Development Commission

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By James Aduku Odaudu, PhD

Introduction

Infrastructure development is generally recognised as a key driver of economic growth, social stability, and national progress. However, most parts of Nigeria have, over time, suffered from significant infrastructure deficits that have hindered their development potentials. The North Central region of the country, comprising states such as Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), like other regions, faces challenges in transportation, energy, water supply, healthcare, and education infrastructure. To tackle these challenges, the establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) is crucial. This essay examines the role the NCDC can play in addressing infrastructure deficits in the North Central region, its potential impact, and the challenges it may face in achieving its mandate.

Current State of Infrastructure Deficits in North Central Nigeria

The North Central region of Nigeria is heavily endowed with vast natural resources and agricultural potential, which, ordinarily, should serve as catalysts for economic growth. However, it faces severe infrastructure challenges that hinder that bellies’ God-given resources. Some of the key deficits include:

1. Poor Road and Transportation Networks – Many roads in the region are in deplorable condition, making transportation of goods and people difficult. The absence of efficient rail networks further compounds the problem.

2. Insufficient Energy Supply – Despite hosting major hydroelectric dams like Kainji and Shiroro, many areas suffer from inadequate electricity supply, affecting industries and businesses.

3. Deficient Healthcare Facilities – The region has inadequate hospitals and healthcare centres, leading to poor health outcomes. Rural communities especially lack access to quality medical services.

4. Water and Sanitation Issues – Many communities face water shortages, poor sanitation, and lack of access to clean drinking water, contributing to disease outbreaks.

5. Educational Infrastructure Challenges – Schools in the region are often underfunded, with inadequate classrooms, teachers, and learning materials, limiting educational opportunities for young people.

The Role of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC)

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC), recently established by the Tinubu administration, is expected to serve as a special intervention agency aimed at addressing these pressing infrastructure needs of the region. Modelled after the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the North East Development Commission (NEDC), and other similar regional development commissions, the NCDC is expected to focus on the following key areas:

1. Improving Transportation and Road Networks

The commission can invest in the construction and rehabilitation of major roads, bridges, and railways to enhance connectivity within and outside the region. Prioritizing major highways and rural access roads will facilitate economic growth and boost commerce.

2. Enhancing Energy Supply

By partnering with power sector stakeholders, the NCDC can develop projects that expand electricity distribution, support renewable energy initiatives, and optimize the hydroelectric potential of the region. Special emphasis should be placed on rural electrification to support small businesses and industries.

3. Developing Healthcare Infrastructure

The commission can improve healthcare services by building and upgrading hospitals, equipping medical centres, and providing modern medical facilities. Additionally, it can facilitate the training and recruitment of healthcare professionals to bridge the gap in medical services.

4. Boosting Water Supply and Sanitation

Water projects, including borehole drilling, dam construction, and water treatment plants, can be undertaken by the NCDC to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water. Improved sanitation facilities will also help reduce the spread of waterborne diseases.

5. Investing in Education and Human Capital Development

The commission, given its mandates, can prioritize education by constructing new schools, renovating existing ones, and providing scholarships and vocational training programs. A well-educated workforce is essential for the region’s long-term development.

6. Promoting Agriculture and Industrial Development

Since agriculture is the backbone of the North Central economy, the NCDC is expected play significant roles in establishing new irrigation projects whilst simultaneously rehabilitating the very many abandoned ones, provide farm inputs, and establish agro-processing enterprises. Industrial parks and business hubs are also expected to attract the intervention of the commission in order to boost investments and create employment opportunities.

Expected Impact of the NCDC

The successful implementation of the NCDC’s programme is expected to yield numerous benefits, including:

Economic Growth: Improved infrastructure will facilitate trade, attract investors, and boost economic productivity in both urban and rural areas.

Job Creation: Construction projects, industrial development, and service sector expansion will generate employment opportunities.

Improved Quality of Life: Better healthcare, education, and basic amenities will enhance living standards across the region. The will a multiplier effect on rural-urban migration, as the presence of the hitherto unavailable facilities will make migration unattractive.

Security Enhancement: Infrastructure development can help address security challenges by reducing poverty and unemployment, which are often linked to criminal activities.

Challenges and Recommendations

As laudable as the aims and mandates of the commission are, the NCDC may face several challenges, which can hinder their realization. These include:

Corruption and Mismanagement: To prevent misappropriation of funds, transparency and accountability mechanisms must be put in place. Adequate monitoring and control of projects need to be established.

Political Interference: The commission should be, as much as humanly possible, insulated from political influence to ensure its programs are implemented effectively. This is a big call, as political office holders will be interested in projects, needed or not, to their constituencies. The same goes for appointments.

Funding Constraints: Adequate budgetary allocations and alternative funding sources, such as public-private partnerships (PPPs), should be explored. The Act establishing the commission has tried to address this by properly identifying sources of funding for the NCDC and similar organisations.

Bureaucratic Bottlenecks: Streamlining administrative processes will enhance efficiency and timely execution of projects. As much as possible, technocrats with administrative capacities should be identified to run the critical departments to ensure strict adherence to rules.

Conclusion

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC), as envisaged by the Establishment Act, presents a viable solution to addressing the region’s infrastructure deficits. By focusing on roads, energy, healthcare, water, education, and agriculture, the commission can unlock the economic potential of the North Central states. However, strong corporate governance, financial accountability, and efficient project execution are essential for the NCDC to achieve its mandate. With proper implementation, the NCDC can significantly contribute to regional development and national prosperity.

• Dr James Odaudu is a development administrator and can be reached at jamesaduku@gmail.com

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Addressing Regional Infrastructure Deficits through the North Central Development Commission

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By James Aduku Odaudu, PhD

Introduction

Infrastructure development is generally recognised as a key driver of economic growth, social stability, and national progress. However, most parts of Nigeria have, over time, suffered from significant infrastructure deficits that have hindered their development potentials. The North Central region of the country, comprising states such as Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), like other regions, faces challenges in transportation, energy, water supply, healthcare, and education infrastructure. To tackle these challenges, the establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) is crucial. This essay examines the role the NCDC can play in addressing infrastructure deficits in the North Central region, its potential impact, and the challenges it may face in achieving its mandate.

Current State of Infrastructure Deficits in North Central Nigeria

The North Central region of Nigeria is heavily endowed with vast natural resources and agricultural potential, which, ordinarily, should serve as catalysts for economic growth. However, it faces severe infrastructure challenges that hinder that bellies’ God-given resources. Some of the key deficits include:

1. Poor Road and Transportation Networks – Many roads in the region are in deplorable condition, making transportation of goods and people difficult. The absence of efficient rail networks further compounds the problem.

2. Insufficient Energy Supply – Despite hosting major hydroelectric dams like Kainji and Shiroro, many areas suffer from inadequate electricity supply, affecting industries and businesses.

3. Deficient Healthcare Facilities – The region has inadequate hospitals and healthcare centres, leading to poor health outcomes. Rural communities especially lack access to quality medical services.

4. Water and Sanitation Issues – Many communities face water shortages, poor sanitation, and lack of access to clean drinking water, contributing to disease outbreaks.

5. Educational Infrastructure Challenges – Schools in the region are often underfunded, with inadequate classrooms, teachers, and learning materials, limiting educational opportunities for young people.

The Role of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC)

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC), recently established by the Tinubu administration, is expected to serve as a special intervention agency aimed at addressing these pressing infrastructure needs of the region. Modelled after the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the North East Development Commission (NEDC), and other similar regional development commissions, the NCDC is expected to focus on the following key areas:

1. Improving Transportation and Road Networks

The commission can invest in the construction and rehabilitation of major roads, bridges, and railways to enhance connectivity within and outside the region. Prioritizing major highways and rural access roads will facilitate economic growth and boost commerce.

2. Enhancing Energy Supply

By partnering with power sector stakeholders, the NCDC can develop projects that expand electricity distribution, support renewable energy initiatives, and optimize the hydroelectric potential of the region. Special emphasis should be placed on rural electrification to support small businesses and industries.

3. Developing Healthcare Infrastructure

The commission can improve healthcare services by building and upgrading hospitals, equipping medical centres, and providing modern medical facilities. Additionally, it can facilitate the training and recruitment of healthcare professionals to bridge the gap in medical services.

4. Boosting Water Supply and Sanitation

Water projects, including borehole drilling, dam construction, and water treatment plants, can be undertaken by the NCDC to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water. Improved sanitation facilities will also help reduce the spread of waterborne diseases.

5. Investing in Education and Human Capital Development

The commission, given its mandates, can prioritize education by constructing new schools, renovating existing ones, and providing scholarships and vocational training programs. A well-educated workforce is essential for the region’s long-term development.

6. Promoting Agriculture and Industrial Development

Since agriculture is the backbone of the North Central economy, the NCDC is expected play significant roles in establishing new irrigation projects whilst simultaneously rehabilitating the very many abandoned ones, provide farm inputs, and establish agro-processing enterprises. Industrial parks and business hubs are also expected to attract the intervention of the commission in order to boost investments and create employment opportunities.

Expected Impact of the NCDC

The successful implementation of the NCDC’s programme is expected to yield numerous benefits, including:

Economic Growth: Improved infrastructure will facilitate trade, attract investors, and boost economic productivity in both urban and rural areas.

Job Creation: Construction projects, industrial development, and service sector expansion will generate employment opportunities.

Improved Quality of Life: Better healthcare, education, and basic amenities will enhance living standards across the region. The will a multiplier effect on rural-urban migration, as the presence of the hitherto unavailable facilities will make migration unattractive.

Security Enhancement: Infrastructure development can help address security challenges by reducing poverty and unemployment, which are often linked to criminal activities.

Challenges and Recommendations

As laudable as the aims and mandates of the commission are, the NCDC may face several challenges, which can hinder their realization. These include:

Corruption and Mismanagement: To prevent misappropriation of funds, transparency and accountability mechanisms must be put in place. Adequate monitoring and control of projects need to be established.

Political Interference: The commission should be, as much as humanly possible, insulated from political influence to ensure its programs are implemented effectively. This is a big call, as political office holders will be interested in projects, needed or not, to their constituencies. The same goes for appointments.

Funding Constraints: Adequate budgetary allocations and alternative funding sources, such as public-private partnerships (PPPs), should be explored. The Act establishing the commission has tried to address this by properly identifying sources of funding for the NCDC and similar organisations.

Bureaucratic Bottlenecks: Streamlining administrative processes will enhance efficiency and timely execution of projects. As much as possible, technocrats with administrative capacities should be identified to run the critical departments to ensure strict adherence to rules.

Conclusion

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC), as envisaged by the Establishment Act, presents a viable solution to addressing the region’s infrastructure deficits. By focusing on roads, energy, healthcare, water, education, and agriculture, the commission can unlock the economic potential of the North Central states. However, strong corporate governance, financial accountability, and efficient project execution are essential for the NCDC to achieve its mandate. With proper implementation, the NCDC can significantly contribute to regional development and national prosperity.

• Dr James Odaudu is a development administrator and can be reached at jamesaduku@gmail.com

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