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NEDC: A MODEL IN PEACE- BUILDING AND RECONSTRUCTION
By Monday Otairu
Peace is said to be an intangible commodity with a priceless tag, which once shattered, gaining it back requires huge investment in terms of human and material resources. Therefore, absence of peace implies that a given community, region or country has been inflicted with instability particularly if the nature of the conflict is overtly violent in character
In recent years, for a long time was peace seen as a luxury to be sought after in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, particularly Borno State which was hitherto been referred to as the “Home of Peace”. Getting a visitation from peace became a herculean task, and if experienced, it was in no time short-lived. This was a result of different hit caused by the activities of Boko Haram insurgency. Similarly, the issues of insurgency created a new dimension of communal and ethnic clashes between farmers and herdsmen in many regions in the North East, which raised the calls for proactive measures.
We must admit that in all human endeavors, the foundation is critical because when the foundation starts on a faulty note, it won’t stand the test of time.
Observing the toll violent conflicts in this region took on both material and human lives leaving the survivors with scars and gory tales of psychological trauma, a quest for growth and development in the NorthEastern region was set into motion, and the search for peace became a necessity. This necessity saw the birth of a perfect relief to the travailing effect; the birth of North East Development Commission (NEDC), charged with the mandated to coordinate the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of infrastructure for victims.
It is worthy of note that prior to the advent of the Boko Haram insurgency in the NorthEast, other forms of conflict do occurred on both small and large scale be it communal, ethnic or religious or to a very large extent, the emerging trend of herders/farmers skirmishes which has become a defining moment of social relations between and amongst myriad of ethnic groups.
This brings our focus to the North East Development Commission (NEDC) that was established to lead the reconstruction and development of North-East Nigeria after years of conflict occasioned by the Boko Haram crisis. Many of us had reservations when the NEDC commenced operations. This was hinged on the past experiences where interventionist agencies instead of fulfilling its mandate end up as cash cows for politicians that are not shy to divert public funds to private pockets in the usual manner. Be that as it may, the phenomena of conflicts and indeed the questions of terrorism and insurgency is a global concern, owing to the fact that communities, societies, states and nation-states have experienced or are experiencing one form of conflict or the other, be it an overt or covert conflicts as the case may be.
The genesis of the NEDC success was approach the leadership of NEDC took in creating a holistic and acceptable Master Plan that can be implemented diversely and comprehensively in the North East. The Commission consulted relevant stakeholders in a bottom-up approach, by engaging them on the Master Plan in all the 112 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the region, as well as with humanitarian, development and peacebuilding actors, representatives of member states, CSOs/CBOs, and private and federal legislators from the zone. This created a surge in the many breakthrough experienced nationwide, leaving everyone to the bewilderment of the “HOW?”.
The case of the NEDC has somewhat proven different from other interventionist agencies in the country. There has been a consistent drive towards achieving its core mandate in rebuilding North East Nigeria that had suffered phenomenal destruction since 2009 when the Boko Haram group began its violent campaign against Nigeria. They recognized transparency as one of the basic principles of good governance by giving the public wide insight in the work of public administration and bodies. It rejuvenated the trust and assurance of the North East region people, they trust of Presidential support in the person of NEDC became solidify once again.
However, one thing that I would harp on is the level of transparency entrenched in its operations, and this is not hinged on hearsay or assumptions, but rather a product of extensive scrutiny of its various interventionist programmes across the states in North-East Nigeria. The level of transparency introduced in the operations of the NEDC is tremendous as well as impressive. In my opinion, this is a function of two factors. One is the world view is on the North East and the desire for normalcy to return, and secondly the need to get things right at the foundation level for subsequent efforts in the future. Whichever of the factors that motivated the director, this shows that he has done well and has earned his price for the right appraisal.
Can a tree stand alone to be called a forest? Definitely no. Alkali, the director of NEDC is a man fill with wisdom, humility, and selflessness. At interval, he always openly acknowledged other brains of support that has been sustaining the NEDC before now. Knowing how important humanitarian duties are in the routine of his commission, he takes no time in acknowledging the support and inspirational guidance of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, which has led to numerous modest strides the Commission has accomplished, like humanitarian assistance, recovery, stabilization and peacebuilding. The NEDC is a new agency, and the fact that it has started on this note indicates that in no distance time, its impact would be felt beyond Africa as regards the rebuilding of North-East Nigeria in a well reformed habitable settlement.
It can be obviously stated that the crisis in North-East Nigeria that came with its attendant loss of lives, destruction of properties and displacement of thousands of people has been greatly managed and subdued, leaving its after effects less visible.
NEDC has set the pace of positive challenge to other public office holders in the country towards Peace- building, and the entrenchment of transparency in their operations using the NEDC model. I would implore this other public officers to take a great study of The North East Development Commission, to learn the ropes of their many strategies used in implementing groundbreaking success.
For a fact, it’s no doubt that NEDC has since become a reference point for accountability and transparency for other interventionist agency. They create the flow, while others follow.
Otairu wrote this piece from University of Maiduguri.
…Commend NCDC, 20-Year North Central Development Plan
Youth groups have hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for regional development following the establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) and other regional development commissions.
The groups made the commendation in separate statements on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the NCDC in Abuja.
The President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Jethro Annum, and the NYCN State Chairman of Niger State, Ambassador Abdullahi Muhammed Ishaq, who spoke on behalf of the NYCN North Central Chairmen, described the NCDC as a catalyst for development.
They said the Commission’s 20-year development plan reflects the need for long-term planning and aligns with the broader development vision of President Tinubu for the country.
Similarly, the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Danesi Momoh, and the North Central Youth Mobilization and Sensitization (NOCYMS), led by Hon. Iorwuese Ayo Fidelis, commended the NCDC for convening a broad stakeholders’ engagement aimed at developing a clear and sustainable development direction for the region over the next 20 years.
The engagement, which brought together key stakeholders and voices from across the North Central region, was described as a significant step towards developing a plan that reflects the aspirations, realities and potential of the people.
The youth leaders described the initiative as timely and forward-looking, stressing that young people and students must remain an integral part of conversations about the future of the region.
They noted that the North Central is home to millions of young Nigerians whose energy, skills, ideas and innovation can contribute significantly to the region’s economic and social transformation when provided with the right opportunities.
“Students and young people are not only beneficiaries of development; we are also partners in building the future we desire. Any 20-year development plan for the North Central must therefore give serious attention to education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology and youth participation,” they said.
The youth representatives further assured the NCDC of their readiness to work closely with the Commission and other relevant stakeholders to advance initiatives that will create meaningful opportunities for students and young people across the region.
They expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among the Commission, governments, educational institutions, organised youth bodies, traditional institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders could help translate the region’s enormous potential into measurable and sustainable development.
…Commends Commission, Urges Quarterly Engagements
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone C, has called for sustained inclusion of students and young people in the North Central Development Commission’s (NCDC) 20-year development agenda.
The association made the call while commending the NCDC for convening a broad stakeholders’ engagement to shape a long-term development direction for the region.
The Coordinator of NANS Zone C, Comrade Abiola Azeez Babatunde, said students and young people must not be treated merely as beneficiaries of development, but as active partners in shaping the future of the North Central.
According to him, the region’s large youth population represents a significant pool of energy, skills, ideas and innovation that can contribute to economic and social transformation if properly harnessed.
“Students and young people are not only beneficiaries of development; we are also partners in building the future we desire,” he said.
Babatunde said any 20-year development plan for the region should give serious attention to education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology and youth participation.
He described the NCDC stakeholders’ engagement as timely and forward-looking, saying it provided an important platform for different interests across the region to contribute to the development conversation.
Also in attendance was Comrade Anzaku Shedrack CNS, Head of Emergency and Disaster Management, NANS, who represented the NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde GCNS.
Shedrack commended the Commission for the initiative and urged it to sustain similar engagements quarterly.
He also assured the NCDC that NANS was pleased with the 20-year development roadmap and would continue to support the Commission in advancing initiatives aimed at developing the region.
NANS Zone C further pledged to work with the Commission and other stakeholders to promote initiatives capable of creating opportunities for students and young Nigerians across the North Central.
The association called for continuous engagement with the student constituency, stressing that their experiences, concerns and ideas should form part of the region’s long-term development agenda.
It expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among the NCDC, governments, educational institutions, organised youth bodies, traditional institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders would help unlock the region’s potential and promote inclusive growth.
Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta.
Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to stop what it termed public attacks on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, saying political disagreements should be resolved through democratic dialogue and constitutional means.The group made the call in a statement signed by its Secretary, Ifeoma Chukwunyere on Friday, September 18, 2026, amid what it described as increasingly personal exchanges between Wike and Uzodinma over political developments within the All Progressives Congress.The lawyers said the APC Governors’ Forum had rejected what they described as Wike’s “Rainbow Coalition” political arrangement, arguing that the disagreement should be addressed with the forum rather than through personal attacks on Uzodinma.According to the group, the forum’s position was based on concerns that the political arrangement could weaken the APC or create divided loyalty within the party.“We recognise the constitutional right of every Nigerian, including public officials and political actors, to express political opinions, criticise policies and participate in political activities,” the group said.“However, that freedom must not become a licence for personal attacks, intimidation or unnecessary escalation.”The lawyers said Uzodinma, as the governor of Imo State, should be allowed to discharge his responsibilities without political exchanges creating tension capable of affecting the peace and stability of the state.They urged Wike to desist from further public comments concerning the governor, insisting that political disagreements should focus on policies, programmes, political positions and verifiable facts rather than personal exchanges.The group also warned political actors against turning Imo State into a battleground for political supremacy.“Imo State is not a battlefield for political supremacy. Its people have the constitutional right to choose their leaders and determine their political future without undue interference, intimidation or external pressure,” it said.The lawyers further called on political parties, leaders, supporters and media platforms to avoid inflammatory language that could provoke confrontation.They urged Uzodinma to continue to operate within the Constitution and the laws of the country, while allowing relevant political and legal institutions to handle legitimate disagreements.The group also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to encourage restraint among political actors, particularly in relation to the dispute between Wike and Uzodinma.Addressing Wike directly, the lawyers said: “Mr. Minister, Imo State belongs to its people. You are not from Imo, so stay off Imo.”They stressed that disagreements over political strategies, elections, alliances and political actors in the state should be settled through democratic debate and constitutional processes.The group said it would continue to monitor developments affecting constitutional governance, democratic participation, political freedom and peace in Imo State.“Our position is simple: Democracy must prevail. The Constitution must prevail. The rule of law must prevail,” the statement added.
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