The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, gave the assurance when a delegation from the Solomon and Mary Lar Foundation for Leadership, led by Hon. Beni Lar, daughter of the late Chief Solomon Lar, visited the Commission to formally present an invitation for the launch of the Institute scheduled to take place in Abuja next month.
This was contained in a statement by Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Head, Media and Corporate Communications Department,
North Central Development Commission (NCDC).
Dr. Tsenyil described the late Chief Solomon Lar as a distinguished Nigerian statesman who gave his best to Nigeria, Plateau State, Nasarawa State, Benue State and the wider Middle Belt region.
He said the late political leader sacrificed immensely for democracy and good governance, providing leadership with dignity, generosity and an unwavering commitment to the aspirations of his people.
According to him, Chief Lar commanded the respect and confidence of many Nigerians because of his selfless service and dedication to the struggle for the recognition and development of the Middle Belt.
The NCDC MD/CEO noted that the establishment of the North Central Development Commission represents an important step towards realising the aspirations of leaders such as Chief Solomon Lar, who worked tirelessly for the unity, recognition and development of the region.
He said the Commission was determined to promote a new standard of leadership that would prioritise accountability, inclusiveness, service and sustainable development.
Dr. Tsenyil assured the delegation that NCDC was willing to collaborate with the Solomon and Mary Lar Institute for Leadership in identifying, nurturing and harnessing leadership potentials across the North Central region.
He observed that despite its enormous human, agricultural, mineral and economic resources, the North Central region had yet to fully establish a distinct economic identity that could drive coordinated growth and development.
He therefore urged the Institute to focus on developing responsible and visionary leaders capable of harnessing the region’s diversity, talents and resources for collective prosperity.
The MD/CEO 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.
He said the plan would provide a strategic framework for coordinated regional development, economic integration and the effective utilisation of the North Central’s abundant resources and opportunities.
Earlier, Hon. Beni Lar congratulated Dr. Tsenyil, members of the Governing Board and Management of NCDC on their appointments and prayed for the success of the Commission in fulfilling its mandate.
She described the establishment of NCDC as a fulfilment of the vision of past leaders, including her late father, Chief Solomon Lar, who believed in the unity, recognition and development of the North Central region.
Hon. Lar commended the Commission for convening the recent Stakeholders Development Summit, describing the initiative as an important step towards bringing stakeholders together to discuss the region’s development priorities.
She also acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in initiating and executing projects across the North Central region, noting the importance of sustained commitment to regional development.
She recalled that before his death, Chief Solomon Lar had consistently advocated peaceful coexistence, national unity, mutual love and respect among Nigerians, values she said remained central to the vision of the Solomon and Mary Lar Foundation.
Hon. Lar explained that the Foundation had been in existence for ten years and that the establishment of the Institute would build on its achievements by providing a structured platform for leadership development, democracy, human rights and peacebuilding.
She expressed optimism that the Institute would contribute to strengthening leadership capacity and promoting the values required to build a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous society.
The visit provided an opportunity for both institutions to explore areas of collaboration towards promoting effective leadership, strengthening democratic values and advancing sustainable development across the North Central region.
