Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a revised list of nominees for the inaugural Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) and appointed Hon. Emeka Atuma as Chairman of the South East Development Commission (SEDC). The nominations, sent to the Senate for confirmation, highlight the President’s renewed commitment to regional development.
In the new NWDC list, Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi was nominated as chairman, replacing Ambassador Haruna Ginsau, who was listed in the initial submission.
Other changes include the replacement of Senator Tijani Yahaya Kaura and Hon. Abdulkadir S. Usman with Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq and Yahaya Aminu Abdulhadi. Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji retains his position as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
The revised NWDC board also includes Dr Yahaya Umar Namahe, Engr. Muhammad Ali Wudil, Shamsu Sule, Nasidi Ali, and Aminu Suleiman.
Following Senate adjustments to the commission’s establishment act, additional nominees from other geopolitical zones were named, including Chukwu Chijioke, Ahmed Mohammed, Engr. Ahmed Rufai Timasaniyu, Macdonalds Michael Uyi, Yemi Ola, and Hon. Babatunde Dada.
For the SEDC, Hon. Emeka Atuma was appointed Chairman, with Hon. Mark C. Okoye as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. Other members of the board include Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Hon. Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu Ph.D., Nasiru Usman, and Hamma Adama Ali Kumo.
Additional SEDC nominees are Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma, Prince Obinna Obiekweihe (Executive Director, Projects), Senator Anthony O. Agbo (Executive Director, Finance and Administration), and Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja (Executive Director, Corporate Services).
In a statement, President Tinubu emphasised the importance of regional commissions in achieving sustainable development across Nigeria. He urged the nominees to leverage their expertise to fulfil the mandates of the NWDC and SEDC.
The President’s nominations await Senate confirmation.
