The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has tasked the newly established North West Development Commission (NWDC) with conducting a needs assessment of the geopolitical zone as the commission takes off.

Abbas also called on the NWDC to consider multiple funding sources to be able to fulfil its mandate.

The speaker made the call while inaugurating the House Committee on North West Development Commission on Wednesday at the National Assembly.

In his address at the inauguration ceremony, Abbas said as someone from the North-West and a legislator who was privileged to champion the House version of the bill that led to the establishment of the NWDC, “this occasion holds deep personal significance and profound meaning for me.”

He added: “It is a moment that reaffirms our obligation to promote the growth and development of our region and improve the well-being of its people.”

The speaker noted that the event “marks not only the culmination of a significant legislative process but also the commencement of a new era in our collective efforts to address the unique challenges and fully harness the immense potential of the North-West geopolitical zone.”

While noting that the North-West holds a pivotal place in Nigeria’s economic and social landscape, the speaker said historically, the zone has been the cradle of agricultural excellence, producing staple crops such as millet, sorghum, and groundnuts in unmatched quantities. Home to over 47 million Nigerians, Abbas stated.