By Oyigu Elijah
The glaring exclusion of the North Central region from the Federal Government’s recent creation of regional development commissions and the absence of any budgetary allocation for the region signify a betrayal of the principles of equity and fairness.
The North Central region, historically the agrarian heartbeat of Nigeria and fondly christened the “Food Basket of the Nation,” is witnessing a harrowing descent into obscurity.
A land once synonymous with fertility and abundance is now a desolate shadow of itself, plagued by insecurity and systemic neglect.
This omission is not merely an administrative oversight, rather, it is a grievous injustice that speaks volumes about the nation’s skewed priorities.
The North Central, boasting vast expanses of fertile soil and a climate conducive to agriculture, was once the nation’s lifeline in food production. Today, this region is gripped by existential despair.
The unrelenting onslaught of banditry, kidnappings, and communal conflicts has rendered farming, a once-thriving vocation, a perilous endeavor.
Farmers now fear venturing into their fields, leaving arable lands fallow and communities destitute. The proverbial “fertility of our soil,” which should fertilize our collective prosperity, now lies dormant, a tragic symbol of the region’s stagnation.
This dire situation is further exacerbated by the Federal Government’s apathy. The absence of developmental frameworks to address these peculiar challenges has compounded the socio-economic deprivation of a region that once carried the nation’s agricultural aspirations.
The North Central is bleeding, not from the absence of potential, but from the denial of opportunity.
The omission of the North Central from the recent creation of regional development commissions is a deliberate affront to justice.
Nigeria, a nation structured around six geopolitical zones, has seen five zones benefit from the creation of these commissions, complete with substantial budgetary allocations.
The South-South, for instance, has received an allocation exceeding ₦700 billion to further its developmental ambitions. Yet, the North Central, with its vast mineral wealth and historical significance, is left out in the cold, its developmental aspirations stymied by bureaucratic neglect.
Would the South-West tolerate such marginalization? Would the North-West or North-East acquiesce to being sidelined in this manner?
The silence that envelops the North Central must not be mistaken for acquiescence. Our quest for peace and our resolve to live in harmony should not be misconstrued as passivity or weakness.
The deliberate exclusion of the region is a calculated act of inequity that must be resisted with every ounce of resolve.
The North Central’s significance transcends agriculture. It is the custodian of over 65% of Nigeria’s solid mineral deposits, a wealth that fuels the nation’s industrial ambitions.
It also plays host to the Federal Capital Territory, the nerve center of Nigeria’s governance. These are not mere statistics; they are markers of a region that is indispensable to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
Notwithstanding, the Federal Government, in its budgetary deliberations and developmental policies, has chosen to treat the North Central as an afterthought.
This glaring neglect raises questions about the role of the region’s representatives in the corridors of power.
Where were the lawmakers from the North Central when these decisions were made? Why was the omission of the region from the developmental agenda not challenged in the National Assembly?
The silence of our leaders has emboldened this marginalization and perpetuated a cycle of exclusion that must now be broken. Senator Abba Moro’s sponsored bill in this regard should be given accelerated hearing.
The President, as the custodian of Nigeria’s unity and equity, must rise above regional allegiances to address this glaring injustice. The presidency is a national mandate, and governance must reflect the principles of inclusivity and fairness.
The Federal Government’s budget must be revised to accommodate the creation of a North Central Development Commission, complete with adequate funding to address the region’s peculiar challenges.
Furthermore, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), a son of the North Central from Benue State, must leverage his position to champion the cause of his region.
He cannot afford to sit idly while his homeland is relegated to the margins of national discourse.
The senators and lawmakers representing the North Central must also rise to the occasion, using their legislative platforms to demand equity and justice for their constituents.
The Arewa Consultative Forum should not. See the North Central as an appendix of the northern region whose presence and inclusion are only needed during the electoral season alone. What is good for Kano , should be good for Kwara and what is worth fighting for, for Kaduna should be worth fighting for, for Kogi.
The marginalization of the North Central is not just an affront to the region; it is an indictment of our collective conscience as a nation.
A nation that allows one region to languish in neglect diminishes its own unity and progress. The North Central must be seen, heard, and treated as an equal stakeholder in the Nigerian project.
The Federal Government must recognize that the prosperity of one region cannot come at the expense of another.
An egalitarian Nigeria, where every region is given its due, is not just a lofty ideal, it is an existential necessity.
The North Central’s exclusion from developmental policies and budgetary allocations is a wound that threatens the nation’s unity. It is a wound that must be healed with deliberate policies, equitable resource allocation, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Let it be known that the neglect of one is the neglect of all, and the progress of one is the progress of all.
The time for justice is now. The time for equity is now. The North Central must rise, not as a forgotten entity, but as a strong region of resilience and hope in a nation that promises unity in diversity.
– Oyigu Elijah writes from Abuja.
