BY ADAMU TIJJANI, LAFIA
The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has pledged to partner with the Solomon and Mary Lar Institute for Leadership to strengthen leadership development, democracy, human rights, peacebuilding and sustainable development across the North Central region.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, gave the assurance when a delegation of the Solomon and Mary Lar Foundation for Leadership, led by Hon. Beni Lar, daughter of the late Chief Solomon Lar, visited the Commission to present an invitation to the launch of the Institute scheduled to hold in Abuja next month.
Tsenyil described the late Chief Solomon Lar as a distinguished statesman whose contributions to democracy, good governance and the development of Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue states, as well as the wider Middle Belt region, remained significant.
He said the late political leader was widely respected for his selfless service, commitment to democratic ideals and determination to secure greater recognition and development for the Middle Belt.
The NCDC chief executive noted that the establishment of the Commission was a significant step towards advancing the aspirations of visionary leaders such as Solomon Lar, who worked tirelessly for the unity, recognition and progress of the region.
He said the Commission was committed to promoting a new standard of leadership anchored on accountability, inclusiveness, service and sustainable development.
Tsenyil assured the delegation of the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with the Institute in identifying, nurturing and harnessing leadership potentials across the North Central region.
He, however, observed that despite its enormous human, agricultural, mineral and economic resources, the region had yet to fully develop a distinct economic identity capable of driving coordinated growth and development.
He urged the Institute to prioritise the development of responsible and visionary leaders who could effectively harness the region’s diversity, talents and resources to achieve collective prosperity.
The NCDC managing director also disclosed that the Commission would soon unveil its Regional Development Plan, which is being developed as a major outcome of the recently concluded NCDC Stakeholders Development Summit.
According to him, the plan would provide a strategic framework for coordinated regional development, economic integration and the effective utilisation of the region’s abundant resources and opportunities.
Earlier, Hon. Beni Lar congratulated Tsenyil, members of the NCDC Governing Board and Management on their appointments, expressing hope that the Commission would successfully fulfil its mandate.
She described the establishment of NCDC as the fulfilment of the vision of past leaders, including her late father, who consistently advocated the unity, recognition and development of the North Central region.
Lar commended the Commission for organising the Stakeholders Development Summit, noting that the initiative provided an important platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the region’s development priorities.
She also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts towards initiating and executing projects across the North Central region, stressing the importance of sustained commitment to regional development.
Recalling her father’s contributions to national development, she said Chief Solomon Lar consistently championed peaceful coexistence, national unity, mutual love and respect among Nigerians before his death.
She explained that these values remained central to the vision of the Solomon and Mary Lar Foundation, which had been in existence for ten years.
According to her, the establishment of the Institute would build on the Foundation’s achievements by providing a structured platform for promoting leadership development, democracy, human rights and peacebuilding.
She expressed optimism that the Institute would strengthen leadership capacity and promote the values needed to build a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous society.
The visit ended with both institutions expressing readiness to explore areas of collaboration towards strengthening democratic values, promoting effective leadership and advancing sustainable development across the North Central region.
