By Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed Hon. Mark Okoye II as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Emeka Nworgu as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
The confirmation also includes other nominees for the 18-member governing board of the SEDC. These members are Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu, Ph.D., Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, Daniel Akwari, Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka (Executive Director, Finance), Chief Sylvester Okonkwo (Executive Director, Corporate Services), Hon. Toby Okechukwu (Executive Director, Projects), Senator Anthony Agbo (Executive Director, Commercial and Industrial Development), and Dr. Clifford Ogbede (Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development).
The confirmation followed the submission of a report by the Ad-Hoc Committee on Regional Development Commissions, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, APC Senator representing Abia North. The committee conducted a thorough screening exercise during which the nominees demonstrated their capability to lead their respective commissions effectively.
In addition to the SEDC nominees, the Senate also confirmed nominees for the North West Development Commission (NWDC). These include Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi as Chairman and Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Other confirmed members of the NWDC board are Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq, Yahaya Aminu Abdullahi, Hon. Engr. Muhammad Ali Wudil, Shamsu Sule, Nasidi Ali, Chukwu Chijioke, Ahmed Mohammed, Engr. Ahmed Rufai Timasantyu, Macdonald Michael Uyi, and Hon. Babatunde Dada.
It is noteworthy that President Bola Tinubu submitted a revised list of nominees for the governing boards of the Regional Development Commissions to the Senate four weeks ago. The nominees were subsequently referred to the Ad-Hoc Committee chaired by Senator Kalu for screening.
During the screening, committee members issued stern warnings to the nominees, emphasizing the need for ethical conduct and accountability. They assured the nominees that the Senate would closely monitor their performance and would not hesitate to recommend their removal if found wanting.
At the plenary, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu reiterated the importance of transparency and accountability in the operations of the commissions. Following the adoption of the committee’s report, the Senate confirmed all nominees through voice votes.
This confirmation is a significant step forward in empowering the regional development commissions to drive growth and development across their respective regions.
