By Oluchukwu Agha Amadi
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone C, has expressed support for the North Central Development Commission’s (NCDC) proposed 20 year development plan for the region.
NANS made its position known while commending the Commission for organising a stakeholders’ engagement to develop a long term roadmap for the North Central region.
The students’ body described the initiative as timely and forward looking, saying the plan should reflect the aspirations, challenges and development potential of people across the region.
NANS Seeks Focus On Education And Jobs
Speaking on behalf of students across the zone, the NANS Zone C Coordinator, Comrade Abiola Azeez Babatunde, urged the Commission to make education, skills development, employment and youth development key priorities in the 20 year plan.
He said young people and students make up a significant part of the region’s population and have the skills, ideas and energy to contribute to its economic and social development when given the right opportunities.
Babatunde said students should not only be viewed as beneficiaries of development programmes but also as partners in shaping the region’s future.
“Students and young people are not only beneficiaries of development we are also partners in building the future we desire. Any 20 year development plan for the North Central must therefore give serious attention to education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology and youth participation,” he said.
He assured the NCDC that NANS Zone C was ready to collaborate with the Commission and other stakeholders on initiatives that would create opportunities for students and young people across the region.
NANS Calls For Regular Stakeholder Engagement
The association also stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among the NCDC, governments, educational institutions, organised youth bodies, traditional institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders.
It said continued engagement would be necessary to turn the region’s potential into measurable and lasting development.
The Head of Emergency and Disaster Management, NANS, Comrade Anzaku Shedrack CNS, who represented the NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde GCNS, also attended the engagement.
Shedrack commended the NCDC for the initiative and called on the Commission to make the stakeholder engagement a quarterly exercise.
He also reaffirmed NANS’ support for the proposed 20 year roadmap, assuring the Commission that the students’ body would continue to support initiatives aimed at advancing development in the North Central.
Students Seek Greater Inclusion
NANS Zone C further called for continuous engagement with the student constituency, saying students are a critical demographic whose experiences, concerns and ideas should be reflected in the region’s long term development agenda.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to constructive advocacy, partnership and responsible representation, expressing optimism that the 20 year development vision would create greater opportunities, strengthen institutions and promote inclusive growth across the North Central.
