By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The Managing Director /CEO of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Mohammed Goni Alkali has lamented that the subregion of Nigeria has faced numerous challenges over the years, from insurgency to economic instability, which have significantly affected the quality of life of its inhabitants.
He however said that, in response to these challenges, the NEDC was established to drive development and bring lasting solutions to the region.
The MD/CEO added that, “However, the success of our initiatives heavily relies on effective communication and public relations strategies, where the expertise of PR executives becomes indispensable.”
Goni Alkali made the assertion in a keynote address titled: ‘Empowering Communities Through Strategic Communication: The Role of Public Relations Practitioners in Championing NEDC interventions’ delivered at the Annual General Meeting /Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Bauchi State Chapter held on Thursday in Bauchi as represented by NEDC’s Head of Corporate Services, Mallam Abba Musa.
According to him, “Upon its establishment, the Commission was tasked with the responsibility of assessing, coordinating, harmonising, and reporting on all intervention programmes and initiatives carried out by the Federal Government, its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as by state governments and other development partners in the North East Region.”
He added that,”The Establishment Act in specific terms mandates the NEDC to coordinate “the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of infrastructure for victims of terrorism as well as tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy, ecological challenges in the North-Eastern states and other related matters.”
“Our interventions, which span across road infrastructure, healthcare, education, food security, and poverty eradication, etc are crucial for the sustainable development of the North East region,” he added.
He explained that the NEDC masterplan is structured into four phases, each targeting specific developmental goals:
Recovery and Stabilization (2020-2022)
Renewal (2022-2024), Expansion (2024-2026), Sustainable Growth (2026-2030) stressing that the phases aim to address eleven critical pillars: peaceful society, leadership in agriculture, healthy citizens, an educated populace, flourishing trade, productive entrepreneurs, purposeful infrastructure, and industrialization.
According to him, the first phase focused on the accelerated development of critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and housing, aiming to quickly recover lost ground.
The phase has seen the commencement or completion of over 700 projects including Road Infrastructure as the NEDC has constructed critical roads and bridges across the subregion which includes:
54km Mutai-Ngalda Road in Yobe State
53km Kirfi- Gombe Abba Road in Bauchi and Gombe State’s 22.5km and 25.4km Jere Bowl Road Networks in Borno State (Phases 1/2) 32km Dabna-Garkida Road in Adamawa State 2.5km access Road at Adamawa State College of Education, Hong.
Others are Construction of Culverts and Drainages on Alkaleri-Futuk Road in Bauchi state, Bridges constructed include: Kudzum, Dilechim, and Wuro-Ngayandi Bridges in Adamawa State,
Mayo Ndaga Bridge in Taraba State.
These projects have significantly improved connectivity and accessibility, driving economic activities and supporting the region’s agricultural leadership.
In the provision of housing infrastructure NEDC has so far constructed a total of 3,500 Housing Units across the 6 states of the North East Region.
“In order not to bore you with the numerous achievements and progress the NEDC has made in its interventions across the 6 states of the North East, may I urge you to kindly refer to our various social Media Handles where you can find more details of our interventions and achievements. X: s@NEDCOfficialNg, Facebook: NEDC: NE Development Commission, Instagram: @nedcofficial,” he added.
He said that, “Talking about today’s theme, “Public Relations Practice in Nigeria: Re- Engineering Strategic Communication in the Digital Age,” it couldn’t have come at a better time than now when Journalism and indeed Public Relations are facing challenges arising from the emergence of social media as alternative form of communication outside the traditional media.”
According to him, “New Media is a trending innovation and its influence in the promotion of mutual understanding between organizations and concern public, is a more contemporary issue.
One of the most defining characteristics of New Media, and a key distinction from traditional media sources like television adverts, is its instructiveness. In other words, new media gives organizations the ability to establish and benefit from two-way communication with their target audience.”
He stressed that,”Social media plays a huge role in communication and connection in modern relationships. It provides an easy way to stay in touch with someone without actually talking to them. Social media allows us to share our thoughts, feelings and experiences with others, even when we can’t be physically present.”
Goni Alkali added that,”The task before Public Relations Practitioners therefore, is how to incorporate New Media into the process of promoting good relationships between organizations and public in Nigeria.”
