President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reconstituted the board of the South East Development Commission, introducing a new chairman, fresh executive directors, and expanding the overall membership.
The reconstituted list comes hours after the initial nominations were announced.
The announcement of the reconstitution, made in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reflects the President’s commitment to ensuring effective leadership and development in the South East region.
Dr. Emeka Nworgu has been nominated as the new chairman, replacing Hon. Emeka Atuma, who was originally slated for the role.
The reshuffled board retains Hon. Mark C. Okoye as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, acknowledging his leadership and continuity in steering the Commission’s objectives.
The updated board features five executive directors, three of whom are replacements for previous nominees.
Stanley Ohajuruka has been nominated as the Executive Director of Finance, replacing Anthony Ugbo, while Toby Okechukwu has been named Executive Director of Projects, succeeding Obinna Obiekweihe.
Chief Sylvester Okonkwo takes over as Executive Director of Corporate Services, a role previously assigned to Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja.
In addition, Chidi Echeazu and Dr. Clifford Ogbede have been introduced as new executive directors without specific portfolios.
While retaining key members such as Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, and Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, the President also removed Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa from the board.
Other retained nominees include Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, and Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.
With these changes, the SEDC board now has 16 members, an increase from the initial composition.
All nominations remain subject to Senate confirmation.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in the capabilities of the newly nominated team, urging them to leverage their experience and expertise to actualize the Commission’s mandate of advancing sustainable development in the South East region.
The President’s vision underscores his administration’s commitment to fostering equity, progress, and national unity through transformative initiatives like the SEDC.
