Senate Confirms Mark Okoye, Shehu Ma’aji, 30 Other Nominees for SEDC and NWDC

Senate Confirms Mark Okoye, Shehu Ma’aji, 30 Other Nominees for SEDC and NWDC

By Fly Cable News

The Senate has confirmed Mark Okoye and Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji as the Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and North West Development Commission (NWDC), respectively.

The confirmations followed the presentation and consideration of a report by the Senate’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Regional Development Commissions, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North). The committee found that the nominees demonstrated the necessary qualifications and capacities to lead the commissions.

While the confirmation process was briefly delayed by a motion to invoke Order 1b for further consultations, it was ultimately rejected by the Senate, which moved to approve the nominees after considering the committee’s report.

The confirmed NWDC nominees include 14 members, with Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi as Chairman and Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji as Managing Director. Other members include Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq, Yahaya Aminu Abdullahi, and several others.

Similarly, 18 nominees for the SEDC were also confirmed, with Dr. Emeka Nworgu appointed Chairman and Hon. Mark Okoye as the Managing Director. Other confirmed members include Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Kzenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, and others.

This follows a revised list of nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu for confirmation four weeks ago. The Senate, led by President Godswill Akpabio, referred the nominees to the committee for thorough screening.