KEY POINTS
- Tinubu revises nominations for North West and South East commissions.
- Senate amendments ensure broader regional representation in leadership.
- New appointees tasked with driving balanced regional development.
President Bola Tinubu has revised his list of nominees for the governing boards of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) and the South East Development Commission (SEDC), submitting the new names to the Senate for confirmation.
The changes reflect recent Senate-mandated adjustments to include representation from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
According to a statement issued Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the updated list replaces several previously announced nominees.
For the NWDC, Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi has been nominated as Chairman, replacing Ambassador Haruna Ginsau. Other additions include Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq and Yahaya Aminu Abdulhadi as board members, while Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji retains his position as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Revised nominations reflect inclusive strategy
The revised nominations for the NWDC come after the Senate amended the commission’s establishment act, ensuring equitable representation from across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
The board now includes representatives like Chukwu Chijioke, Ahmed Mohammed, and Yemi Ola, among others.
For the South East Development Commission, Hon. Emeka Atuma has been named Chairman, and Hon. Mark C. Okoye assumes the role of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
Other board members include Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, and Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, among others. The appointments aim to foster development in the South East region, reflecting Tinubu’s vision for balanced growth.
Tinubu emphasizes regional development goals
President Tinubu stressed the importance of these commissions in driving regional development and expressed confidence in the nominees’ ability to fulfill their mandates.
According to Punch, he underscored their role in addressing regional disparities and promoting sustainable growth.
“These appointments represent a crucial step in fostering balanced development across Nigeria’s regions. I trust the appointees to deliver effectively for the benefit of their respective regions,” Tinubu said.
Senate to review and confirm nominees
The Senate is expected to review the updated list and conduct confirmation hearings in the coming weeks.
The revised nominations, particularly for the NWDC, mark a significant shift in strategy, ensuring all regions are represented and have a voice in the governance of development commissions.
