The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, confirmed the appointments of Hon. Mark Okoye as the Managing Director and Dr. Emeka Nworgu as the Chairman of the Board for the South East Development Commission (SEDC). In addition to these key appointments, the Senate also confirmed a full slate of nominees for the SEDC’s 18-member governing board.
Other confirmed nominees for the SEDC included 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 (E.D. Finance), Chief Sylvester Okonkwo (E.D. Corporate Services), Hon. Toby Okechukwu (E.D. Projects), Sen. Anthony Agbo (E.D. Commercial and Industrial Development), and Dr. Clifford Ogbede (E.D. Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development).
The nominations were confirmed following the submission of the report from the screening exercise conducted by the Adhoc Committee on Regional Development Commissions, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. The committee reported that the nominees had demonstrated the requisite capabilities to effectively manage the affairs of the respective development commissions.
In addition to the SEDC nominees, the Senate also confirmed the leadership of the North West Development Commission (NWDC). Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi was confirmed as the Chairman, while Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji was appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Other NWDC board members included Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq, and several others.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio who presided over the plenary ,emphasized the importance of integrity and responsibility in the governance of these commissions.
In his submission,Senator Kalu reiterated the Senate’s commitment to closely monitoring the appointees, warned that any failure to meet ethical standards would result in swift action. The nominees were confirmed by voice votes shortly after the adoption of the report.
