2023 former presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the selection of members for the South East Development Commission Board of Directors.
Ndukwe, a former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, described the appointees as “competent hands with proven track records of efficiency,” expressing confidence that their leadership would address the region’s infrastructural challenges.
President Tinubu recently submitted the list of nominees to the Senate for confirmation. The finalised list includes Chief Emeka Wogu, former Minister of Labour and Productivity, as Chairman; Mark Okoye as Managing Director/CEO; Hon. Toby Okechukwu, a former House of Representatives member, as Executive Director of Projects; and Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, as Executive Director of Finance.
In a statement issued on Monday, Ndukwe, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress expressed confidence in the board members’ ability to deliver on their mandate.
“With experienced and visionary patriots as members of the SEDC board, the commission’s objectives will undoubtedly be achieved. The President’s vision for South East development will be realized through their expertise and dedication,” he said.
Ndukwe, a former Commissioner for Works in Abia State and Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor, applauded President Tinubu for signing the SEDC Act into law, a milestone that had eluded previous administrations. He underscored the importance of the commission in addressing the region’s infrastructural deficiencies and long-standing grievances.
“The establishment of the SEDC marks a turning point for the South East. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured a lasting legacy by addressing long-standing issues of neglect and ensuring the region has a mechanism to drive development,” Ndukwe stated.
He also commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for sponsoring the SEDC Bill, describing him as “a proactive and visionary leader.”
“The Deputy Speaker has shown exemplary leadership by championing the SEDC Bill and ensuring its success. History will remember him for this significant contribution to the South East and Nigeria as a whole,” Ndukwe added.
Expressing optimism about the commission’s potential, Ndukwe thanked both President Tinubu and Hon. Kalu for their efforts in making the SEDC a reality, stating, “This initiative will undoubtedly propel the South East towards achieving its developmental goals.”
