Senate Confirms South East Development Commission Board, Nominees for North West Commission

By Peterside Rejoice Eneky

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, set up an ad-hoc committee to review and confirm the nominees for the boards of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and North West Development Commission (NWDC). The confirmation came through a letter from President Bola Tinubu, which was read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The confirmation involved 18 nominees for the South East Development Commission, including key positions such as Chairman, Members and Executive Directors. Dr. Emeka Nworgu Chairman, replacing Hon. Emeka Atuma. Stanley Ohajuruka Executive Director of Finance, succeeding Anthony Ugbo, while Toby Okechukwu is appointed Executive Director of Projects, replacing Obinna Obiekweihe. Chief Sylvester Okonkwo Executive Director of Corporate Services, replacing Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja. Additionally, Chidi Echeazu and Dr. Clifford Ogbede will serve without Portfolio.

The Managing Director/CEO position was confirmed for Hon. Mark C. Okoye, with Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, and Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma appointed as members of the board.

In a related development, President Tinubu also submitted an updated list of nominees for the Governing Board of the North West Development Commission. Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi was named as Chairman, replacing Ambassador Haruna Ginsau. New members of the NWDC board include Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq and Yahaya Aminu Abdulhadi. Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji will retain his role as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The Senate is now set to begin the process of confirming these nominees in the coming sessions.