Senate confirms new leadership for South East, North West Development Commissions

The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Hon. Mark Okoye as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, along with Dr. Emeka Nworgu as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

The confirmation came following a detailed screening process conducted by the Senate’s Ad-hoc Committee on Regional Development Commissions, led by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North.

In addition to Okoye and Nworgu, the Senate also confirmed an 18-member board for the SEDC, including notable figures such as 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 of Finance), Chief Sylvester Okonkwo (Executive Director of Corporate Services), Hon. Toby Okechukwu (Executive Director of Projects), Sen. Anthony Agbo (Executive Director of Commercial and Industrial Development), and Dr. Clifford Ogbede (Executive Director of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development).

The Senate confirmation follows a report from Senator Kalu’s committee, which highlighted the nominees’ competence and preparedness to manage the affairs of the respective development commissions.

According to Kalu, the nominees demonstrated their capability to lead the commissions during the screening process.

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The Senate also confirmed the nominees for the North West Development Commission (NWDC). Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi was appointed Chairman, while Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji will serve as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Additional confirmed board members of the NWDC include Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq, Yahaya Aminu Abdullahi, Hon. Engr. Muhammad Ali Wudil, Shamsu Sule, Nasidi Ali, Chukwu Chijtoke, Ahmed Mohammed, Engr. Ahmed Rufai Timasantyu, Macdonalds Michael Uyi, and Hon. Babatunde Dada.

The confirmation process began four weeks ago when President Bola Tinubu submitted a revised list of nominees for the Governing Boards of the Regional Development Commissions to the Senate.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the plenary, referred the nominees for thorough scrutiny by Senator Kalu’s committee.

During the screening, committee members issued stern warnings to the nominees, urging them not to fail the Nigerian people and reminding them that their actions would be closely monitored by the Senate.

The committee made it clear that unethical conduct would lead to swift dismissal.

At the confirmation session, Senator Kalu reiterated the need for accountability and transparency in the governance of the development commissions, stressing that the new leadership must uphold the highest standards of integrity.

The nominees were confirmed unanimously via voice votes, following the adoption of the committee’s report.