A delegation of youths from Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, under the aiges of ‘North Central Youths Movement’ on Sunday 9th February 2025 visited the immediate former Minority Leader and Senator Representing Plateau North, Dr Simon Mwadkwon in Jos the Plateau capital.
According to the group, their visit was part of the commencement of their celebration visits to critical stakeholders who played vital roles in the formulation and passage of the bill which columnated in the establishment of North Central Development Commission.
Led by the Convener of the group, Alex Audu, the group recounted how they began advocacy for the establishment of the North Central Commission in December, 2016 and their subsequent visit to the former Senate Minority Leader in 2019 while he was in the green chamber following his presentation and subsequent passage of the North Central Development Commission (Establishment) Bill HB 23 in 2019 and 2021 respectively, even though President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent.
Though the bill was later co-sponsored by the Senator Representing Benue South, Abba Moro, and other senators across the North Central Geopolitical Zone which was passed and subsequently got the assent of President Bola Ahmend Tinubu, the youths said they chose to first begin by visiting Senator Mwadkwon because of the early role he played.
Responding to the group, Senate Simon Mwadkwon expressed deep appreciation to them for sacrificing their time and resources and travel from their respective states to see him.
Recounting the journey of the bill, Senator Mwadkwon said “It’s worth commending, and I want to thank all of you for coming. When Alex called me, I was a little hesitant because I had already seen the arguments on social media—everyone trying to lay claim to ownership of the bill. But for me, it was never about that”.
“Even if I’m not mentioned, you see, when you have a dream, and that dream becomes a reality—even if not during your time—you should be able to appreciate and thank God because it’s something you always wanted to see happen.”
“I recall when you visited me in my office in Abuja, carrying placards. The pictures are there, as far back as 2019, and you reminded me of that moment by sending those pictures to me. I kept quiet. That is why, despite the arguments on social media, I didn’t say a word.”
“On May 17, 2021, i was involved in a gastly motor accident. I had already done the first reading in 2019. So, after being discharged from the hospital and regaining some strength, I presented the second reading of the bill. In fact, the Speaker told me that if I couldn’t stand, I should sit. But I said, “No, I think I’ll manage to stand,” and I did the second reading.’
“We were surprised to learn that Senator Abba Moro, who is now my successor, was responsible for pushing the bill in the Senate. A concurrence was done between the House of Representatives and the Senate, and a clean copy was sent to the president. And you know the politics then. The man did not assent to it. That very day, I left you people in Riyom in 2022 and rushed to Abuja to ensure that the clean copy reached his office.”
“My colleagues in the 10th Assembly decided that the dream should not die, and they carried on the struggle. A number of senators went ahead to co-sponsor it. I know of Abba Moro, Sen Sani Musa from Niger, and a few others—Senator Zam’s name was there too.”
“And thank God today, it has become history. For me, it’s not about taking the credit but the joy of seeing a dream I had become a reality. That is my joy. So, for you to have sacrificed your time, energy, and resources to be here today, honestly, my joy knows no bounds. It shows that we still have young, vibrant youth in the North Central who have a vision for our zone.”
The former lawmaker also recounted his time in the House of Representatives during the nerscent days of the bill and why he chose to be part of the House Committe on the North East Development Commission. “I chose to work on the Northeast Committee then because, as I said, I wanted to learn— to understand how resources were being used, what challenges they were trying to address.”
“In my second reading of the bill, I highlighted key issues I wished the bill would address. We have many displaced people who need accommodation. They need to return to their farmlands. We have ecological challenges that must be tackled. We face a shortage of hospitals, healthcare centers, schools, and even proper roads. The road from Akwanga to Jos is nothing to write home about. If you travel on that road, you will see that it has become a death trap.”
Members of the delegation include the convener of the group Alex Audu from Plateau State, Muhammad Saba from Niger State, Dominic Anyebe from Benue State, Bello Nakre from Nasarawa State, Ibrahim Jimoh from Kwara and Gabriel Mishark from the FCT.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the bill to create the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC).
This was made public by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who announced the signing of the bill during plenary.The NCDC is designed to tackle challenges and promote economic growth, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the region.
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