PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has once again revised the proposed leadership of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), submitting a fresh list of nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
The updated list, announced on Friday, according to the presidency, aims at bolstering the Commission’s capacity to foster development in the region.
According to a State House press release, Tinubu replaced the initial chairman nominee, Emeka Atuma, with Emeka Nworgu.
Atuma, alongside others, had earlier been announced as the leadership for the SEDC.
However, the revised list, detailed in a statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, December 7, includes additional adjustments to the SEDC board nominees.
The statement noted: “The President replaced all the three executive directors initially nominated and named two additional executive directors.”
Key changes include the appointment of Stanley Ohajuruka as the new Executive Director of Finance, replacing Anthony Ugbo. Toby Okechukwu has been named the new Executive Director of Projects, instead of Obinna Obiekweihe, while Chief Sylvester Okonkwo takes over as Executive Director of Corporate Services from Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja.
Two additional executive directors without specific portfolios, Chidi Echeazu and Clifford Ogbede, were also added to the board.
Despite these changes, Mark C. Okoye retains his position as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ensuring continuity in the Commission’s leadership.
Notably, Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa, a board member from the initial list, has been dropped.
Several nominees from the original list, however, were retained including Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, and Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.
The revised list increases the board’s membership from 15 to 16. Onanuga emphasized that “President Tinubu expects the new nominees, as pioneers, to use their wealth of experience and expertise to actualise the Commission’s mandate and develop the South East region.”
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.