In a move signaling a significant milestone for regional development in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Tsenyil Cyril Yiltsen from Plateau State as the pioneer Managing Director of the newly established North Central Development Commission (NCDC). The appointment is subject to the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate, according to a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday.

The North Central Development Commission was created to address the infrastructural deficit, socioeconomic imbalance, and long-standing development challenges faced by states in the North Central geopolitical zone. These include Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Niger States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A Regional Leader at the Helm

Tsenyil Cyril Yiltsen’s selection as the pioneer Managing Director is being lauded as a strategic choice given his roots in Plateau and his reputed experience in regional planning and governance. With years of service in both public and private sectors, Yiltsen is expected to bring vision and coordination to the commission as it sets its development agenda.

Leadership Team Reflects Zonal Diversity

Alongside Yiltsen, President Tinubu also announced other board members, drawing representatives from across the North Central zone to ensure balanced representation:

Cosmas Akiyir from Benue State will serve as the Board Chairman.

James Abel Uloko (Benue) has been nominated as Executive Director.

Princess Atika Ajanah (Kogi) is appointed Executive Director, Projects.

Hajia Bilgis Jumoke Sanni (Kwara) will serve as Executive Director.

Hajia Aishatu Rufai-Ibrahim (Nasarawa) takes a similar role as Executive Director.

Muhammad Bashar (Niger) is also appointed Executive Director.

This inclusive composition underscores the administration’s intention to ensure that all states within the region have a voice in the planning and execution of development programs.

Mandate and Expectations

The NCDC is modeled after other regional commissions such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC). Its mandate includes addressing infrastructural decay, promoting human capital development, resettling displaced communities, improving access to healthcare and education, and stimulating economic growth.

Analysts note that the challenges facing the North Central region—ranging from insecurity and poor rural infrastructure to the effects of climate change on agriculture—require an institution with both capacity and autonomy. With its inauguration, expectations are high that the NCDC will help harmonize federal and state development plans and accelerate impactful projects.

Political and Public Reactions

Initial reactions from stakeholders across the North Central region have been mostly positive. Civil society groups and political leaders have commended the federal government’s commitment to equitable development, while urging the Senate to expedite the confirmation process to enable the commission begin operations promptly.

Observers, however, also stress the need for transparency, accountability, and community engagement as key pillars for the commission’s success. As one political analyst put it, “The success of the NCDC will not just lie in its funding but in the ability of its leadership to build trust and deliver measurable results.”

Conclusion

With the appointment of Tsenyil Cyril Yiltsen and a strong team of directors, the North Central Development Commission is now poised to begin its work. As the region watches closely, the coming months will be crucial in laying the groundwork for what could become a transformative institution for millions of Nigerians in the heart of the country.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, has dismissed recent claims from the House of Representatives suggesting that terrorists operating within the country possess more advanced weaponry than the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Speaking during a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister firmly rejected the allegation, stating that the military is better equipped in both weaponry and technology.

“That statement is completely false,” Abubakar said. “We have far more sophisticated arms and surveillance equipment, including drones.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism in Nigeria is not a traditional military conflict, but rather a guerrilla-style war that demands different strategies and responses.

“This is not a conventional war,” he explained. “Terrorists use surprise attacks and rely heavily on informants within local communities. They strike unpredictably, making it a unique challenge.”

Despite the difficulty in monitoring every area simultaneously, the minister maintained that the Nigerian military holds a significant advantage in terms of equipment and capabilities.

“Our inability to be everywhere at once doesn’t mean we’re underpowered. We’re making progress because we have superior tools and strategies,” he concluded.

In an unprecedented moment in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American prelate, has been elected as the new Pope. He will henceforth be known as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American-born pontiff in the two-millennia history of the Church.

The white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney earlier today, signaling that the conclave of cardinals had reached a decision. Shortly afterward, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the senior cardinal deacon, emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and delivered the traditional Latin announcement: “Habemus Papam” — “We have a Pope.”

A Historic Election

At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV brings with him a wealth of pastoral, theological, and administrative experience. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he previously served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential offices in the Roman Curia, and was widely respected for his deep commitment to reform, social justice, and episcopal integrity.

His election marks a significant milestone not only for the United States but also for the broader global Church, signaling a continued shift toward inclusivity and global representation in Catholic leadership.

A Jesuit Influence, A Global Perspective

Pope Leo XIV is a member of the Augustinian Order and spent years working in Peru and Latin America, where he developed strong ties with marginalized communities and gained fluency in Spanish. His formation and international experience reflect the growing importance of the Global South and the Americas in shaping the future of the Catholic Church.

He is expected to build on the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, with an emphasis on humility, synodality, environmental stewardship, and the Church’s engagement with the modern world.

What Comes Next

The new pope will soon celebrate his inauguration Mass in St. Peter’s Square, which will be attended by heads of state, dignitaries, and millions of pilgrims from around the world. His first public address as pope, the Urbi et Orbi blessing — “to the city and the world” — is expected to focus on unity, peace, and healing amid global crises.

As Pope Leo XIV steps into one of the most powerful spiritual roles on the planet, Catholics and non-Catholics alike will be watching to see how his leadership shapes the future of the Church in a rapidly changing world.

A New Chapter Begins

With his election, the Church opens a new chapter — one that blends American dynamism with global sensitivity, traditional faith with contemporary relevance. As the bells of St. Peter’s ring across Rome and beyond, one thing is clear: history has been made.

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