President Bola Tinubu has submitted a revised list of nominees for the first Governing Boards of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) and that South East Development Commission, to the Senate for approval.
Lawal Abdullahi has been proposed as the new chairman of the NWDC, alongside nominees Ja’afar Sadeeq and Yahaya Abdulhadi as board members, according to a statement by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, released on Friday.
This comes after an earlier nomination in September, where Amb. Haruna Ginsau was named chairman, with Sen. Tijani Kaura and Hon. Abdulkadir Usman as board members.
Additionally, Emeka Atuma has been selected to chair the South East Development Commission (SEDC), with Prof. Abdullahi Ma’aji remaining as managing director and chief executive officer.
Other members of the NWDC board include Dr. Yahaya Namahe, Engr. Muhammad Wudil, Shamsu Sule, Nasidi Ali, and Aminu Suleiman.
Following adjustments to the NWDC’s establishment act by the Senate, which allowed for broader regional representation, Tinubu’s updated list features Chukwu Chijioke, Ahmed Mohammed, Engr. Ahmed Timasaniyu, Macdonalds Uyi, Yemi Ola, and Hon. Babatunde Dada, representing all six geo-political zones.
In the case of the SEDC, Tinubu has also nominated Hon. Mark Okoye as managing director and chief executive officer, pending Senate confirmation. The proposed members include Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, and Hamma Adama Kumo.
Further nominees to the commissions include Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, and Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma. Additional appointees for executive roles are Prince Obinna Obiekweihe (Executive Director, Projects), Sen. Anthony O. Agbo (Executive Director, Finance and Administration), and Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja (Executive Director, Corporate Services).
President Tinubu emphasized his dedication to fostering regional development and encouraged the nominees to utilize their expertise to advance the mandates of their respective commissions