* Presidency Keeps Mum on Reason For Decision
By Kolawole Ojebisi
Confusion has continued to trail the replacement of four individuals appointed to the board of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) by president Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu appointed Emeka Nworgu as the new chairman of the board, replacing Emeka Atuma.
Making further clarification on the development, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu also replaced all three executive directors initially nominated and named two additional executive directors.
The substitution comes barely 24 hours after Tinubu submitted the list of nominees for SEDC and North West Development Commission (NWDC) boards to the senate for confirmation.
Onanuga said Tinubu also removed Donatus Nwankpa as one of the SEDC board members while Mark Okoye retains his position as the commission’s Managing Director and chief executive officer.
“The new executive director for finance is Stanley Ohajuruka, who replaced Anthony Ugbo in the first list. Toby Okechukwu is the new executive director of projects. He replaces Obinna Obiekweihe,” Onanuga said in a statement on Saturday.
“Chief Sylvester Okonkwo is now the executive director of corporate services, replacing Dr Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja. The two nominated executive directors without a portfolio are Chidi Echeazu and Dr Clifford Ogbede.
“The president retained Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman and Hamma Adama Ali Kumo. The other nominees retained are Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima and Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.”
Onanuga said the appointments are subject to senate confirmation, adding that the president expects the nominees to execute the commission’s mandate and develop the south-east.
He did not, however, mention while the decision was taken
