By Philomina Attah
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Core Working Group (CWG) on Regional Development in Nigeria, a key step in operationalising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CWG is established to drive coordinated and harmonised implementation of the regional development initiative across the federation.
The CWG primary purpose is to provide technical leadership, strategic alignment, and operational oversight for the regional development programme.
The Minister, Federal Ministry of Regional Development (FMRD), Mr Abubakar Momoh, while inaugurating the CWG, commended President Tinubu’s firm commitment to balanced growth and inclusive national development.
Momoh described development commissions as a strategic instrument for addressing long-standing regional development gaps while responding to evolving socio-economic and security concerns across the country.
Momoh, represented by Uba Ahmadu, Minister of State, FMRD, expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the smooth operation and effective coordination of the Regional Development Commissions (RDCs) for the wellbeing of Nigerians.
He urged the CWG to develop a policy framework that would be practical and responsive to the diverse needs of the regions, embody realism, while inspiring confidence among stakeholders.
Momoh added that their efforts must be guided by “a region-by-region approach’’ that reflects local realities, priorities, and comparative advantages.
“Your policy thrust must align with national development plans and global best practices, ensuring continuity beyond political cycles,’’ he said.
In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development, Dr Mariam Masha, expressed the commitment and support of the presidency to the CWG and FMRD.
Masha noted that the inauguration of the CWG represented a decisive step from `strategy to execution.’
She stressed the need for the CWG members to ensure that development was not only nationally but regionally grounded and truly shared.
“This inauguration formalises the CWG, a critical technical mechanism designed to ensure strategic alignment and operational coordination across all stakeholders,” she said.
She said that the goal of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is to reduce long-standing disparities in economic opportunity and human development by driving inclusive growth across all regions.
According to Masha, the success of the vision hinges on ensuring that regional strategy is fundamentally linked to ward development, recognising that transformation must begin at the grassroots level.
“The Office of the Vice President – Regional Development Programmes (OVP-RDP) is fully committed to providing the strategic support required to ensure the ministry’s regional development goals are achieved.
“Our focus will be on ensuring efficiency and measurable impact across the four strategic pillars: Productive Economy, Social Development, Infrastructure and Connectivity, and Peace and Security,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Mary Ogbe, said that regional development was central to reducing disparities, fostering social cohesion and unlocking economic opportunities in all parts of Nigeria.
“By inaugurating this CWG, we are formally putting in place a dedicated team that will drive the design, coordination and implementation of key regional development initiatives, policies and programmes,’’ she said.
Ogbe said that the two-day training was to ensure a result-based approach that would enable the ministry’s policies and programmes respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the citizens, especially the marginalised and undeserved communities.
She charged the participants to be fully engaged, as the quality of regional development outcomes would depend on the capacity and commitment built together.
Ms Wafaa Abdelatef, the Country Representative, UNICEF Nigeria, described the inauguration as a significant step forward and “a promise to Nigeria’s children of a future that is equitable, resilient, and full of opportunities.”
Abdelatef, who was represented by UNICEF Chief Social Policy, Dr Hamidou Poufon, expressed UNICEF’s support and commitment to the CWG aimed at assisting each region in realising its maximum potential.
“Our support is grounded in the principles of fairness, inclusion, and resilience.
“We will focus on providing evidence and technical support for regional planning, facilitating learning and capacity building to help regions develop their own action frameworks, and assist in building consensus around regional priorities.
“Most importantly, we will work to ensure that children’s rights, gender equality, disability inclusion, and youth participation are at the heart of every strategy and programme,’’ Abdelatef said.
Similarly, Mr Mohammed Fall, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Nigeria, reminded the CWG that “development is not just about projects but about people and a commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.’’
Fall, represented by UN Consultant, Maryam Uwais, expressed UN’s support, guided by the Sustainable Development Goals, to Nigeria’s journey, offering technical leadership, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chidi Opara
