Abuja: The Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), a civil society organisation, has urged all six geo-political zones to utilise the new development commissions established under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to accelerate growth in their respective regions. National President of ILDC, Chief Ugochukwu Nnam, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Nnam commended Tinubu’s leadership for creating platforms for regional development through the establishment of development commissions. He urged all the six geo-political zones to leverage these commissions to drive the growth of their respective areas. Nnam emphasized the importance of using their comparative advantages, such as agriculture, to foster self-sufficiency and development.
Nnam highlighted agriculture as a critical sector with the capacity to enhance economic sovereignty. He noted that engaging in agricultural activities would not only provide sustenance for the youth but also boost internally-generated revenues for each zone and the nation as a whole. He recalled the economic competitions among regions during the First Republic, which led to economic sovereignty in those areas.
He asserted that the development commissions, as envisaged by the president, would reinstate competitive development efforts among the zones. Nnam expressed concern over the reliance of some zones and states on federal allocations, stating that this dependency hinders progress. He encouraged all geo-political zones to draw inspiration from the United States and China in promoting local content.
The ILDC president also addressed the current security challenges facing the country, emphasizing the need for patriotism and unity as solutions to these issues. Nnam urged Nigerians to focus on the factors that unite the country rather than those that divide it. He specifically condemned the widespread killings and kidnappings, attributing them to a lack of love for fellow citizens.
Nnam warned the political class against exploiting the situation to further divide the nation. He expressed hope that by cherishing the nation and fostering unity, such senseless acts of violence could be prevented.