By Daniel Ogalla
A renowned urban planner, Joy Obadoba-Agha, has appreciated the Federal Government for establishing the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC).
Obadoba-Agha who is also a PhD scholar in Sustainable Urbanization at the University of Lagos and the First state Chairperson of Association of Women in Town Planning, Kogi Chapter, commended government over the appointment of Princess Atika Ajanah as Executive Director, Projects, North-Central Development Commission, describing it as a demonstration of it’s commitment to regional and national development.
In a statement, the urban planner described Princess Atika Ajanah as a visionary leader with an impressive pedigree and passionate commitment to regional and national development.
According to her, the appointment was not just a personal triumph but a transformative moment for the entire region. Just as she expressed optimism that her “leadership would usher in a new era of hope, one where strategic planning, equity, and visionary governance will breathe life into communities long stifled by neglect, poverty, and underdevelopment”.
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The statement further reads in part”The North-Central region, rich in agricultural resources, minerals, and strategic advantages, has struggled under the weight of systemic challenges: crumbling infrastructure, economic instability, insecurity, and decades of missed opportunities.
“However, with the NCDC’s establishment, there is now a clear blueprint to unlock the region’s untapped potential”.
This appointment, the statement added was coming at a crucial time, as the Commission’s mandate, to prioritise infrastructure modernisation, economic diversification, security enhancement, social development, and youth empowerment, offers a lifeline to reverse decades of stagnation.
“As an urban planner, I know that development is not merely about bricks and roads; it’s about people. Your new role places you at the helm of policies that can redefine livelihoods and justice in a region yearning for renewal. By anchoring the Commission’s vision in equity, you have the power to ensure that growth is inclusive, bridging urban-rural divides, ensuring access to housing supply, economic development, urban-rural resources, and dismantling the cycles of poverty that have held communities back. Let planning be the catalyst for change, transforming the North-Central zone into a model for city transformation where prosperity is shared, marginalised voices are amplified, and every citizen benefits from its vast resources. I am confident by your track record of integrity, innovation, and empathy proves you are more than equal to the task. Prioritising transparency in governance and justice in resource allocation will not only uplift lives but also restore trust in institutions. This is your moment to ensure that the region’s wealth translates into safe housing, dignified livelihoods, and opportunities for all, especially its youth, who are key to sustaining progress” the statement further emphasised.
While assuring her of support in her new assignment , Obadoba-Agha prayed that “her tenure be guided by wisdom and courage to rewrite the North-Central’s story, one of fairness, security, and collective progress”
