By Mubarak Aliyu kobi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared that Northern Nigeria will never be a parasite, affirming that the region has what it takes to build a self-sustaining and robust economy capable of competing globally.
The Governor made this remark while delivering his closing address at the Bauchi Economic and Investment Summit held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi.
He emphasized that the North possesses vast human and natural resources that, if properly harnessed, can transform the region into an economic powerhouse.
Governor Bala Mohammed explained that the two-day summit was not just an economic event but a strategic step toward repositioning Bauchi and Northern Nigeria as viable destinations for investment, innovation, and sustainable development.
The summit, organized under the “My Bauchi Project” initiative, brought together investors and business leaders from across Nigeria and countries such as China, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Pakistan.
It provided a platform for discussing investment opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism, energy, and technology.
Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Professor Murtala Sabo Sagagi, announced during the closing ceremony that forty-seven Memoranda of Understanding were signed with local and foreign partners, with an estimated investment value exceeding five billion dollars. One of the deals, worth one billion dollars, is expected to become operational before the end of the year.
Governor Mohammed commended the participants and organizers for what he described as one of Nigeria’s most impactful investment gatherings.
He assured that his administration will sustain the momentum by implementing policies that ensure transparency, good governance, and ease of doing business.
The Governor concluded by urging Northern leaders to focus on innovation, education, and industrialization, noting that the region’s progress lies in collaboration, strategic partnerships, and the optimal utilization of its abundant resources.