The Nigerian Senate has completed the screening of nominees for the boards of the newly established South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and South-West Development Commission (SWDC), urging the appointees to prioritize regional development, infrastructure renewal, and economic empowerment.

 

South-South Development Commission (SSDC)

 

At the screening led by Senator Benson Kombowei, Chairman of the Senate Committee on SSDC, nominees were charged to tackle economic sabotage, environmental degradation, and infrastructure decay plaguing the Niger Delta region.

 

Board Nominees Include:

 

Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche (Rivers State – Chairman)

 

Usoro Offiong Akpabio (Akwa Ibom – Managing Director)

 

Executive Directors:

 

Marcus Nie Eji (Projects – Rivers)

 

Aganaba Preye Steven (Social & Human Capital Development – Bayelsa)

 

Dr. Timi Ayibatonye Alari (Corporate Services – Delta)

 

Joseph Ugheoke (Commercial & Environmental Development – Edo)

 

Amb. Sony Abang (Finance – Cross River)

 

 

 

Other Members Representing Geopolitical Zones:

 

Larry Odey (Cross River)

 

Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa)

 

Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong (Akwa Ibom)

 

Chika Chinedu (Rivers)

 

Femi Oise (Edo)

 

Dr. Charles Enukhowhate (Delta)

 

Tijani Yahaya Kaura (North-West)

 

Tabitha Iliya Sallah (North-East)

 

Alh. Yusuf Rasaq Amao (North-Central)

 

Joseph Mmama (South-East)

 

Bukunola Braimoh (South-West)

 

 

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, a member of the SSDC screening panel, congratulated the Managing Director nominee, Akpabio, for breaking ground as one of the first female MDs in a regional development commission. He emphasized teamwork and strategic project execution, especially around natural resources and health in rural areas.

 

Akpabio assured the Senate that her administration would ensure equitable distribution of projects, guided by population needs and development levels across states. She stressed human capital development and health outreach, particularly in underserved communities.

 The Senate also screened Dr. Charles Akinola, nominated as the Managing Director of the SWDC, who laid out a bold vision for the region.

 

Akinola described the South-West as a potential “unified economic bloc” that can attract both investment and talent, and drive innovation, digital industries, manufacturing, and job creation.

 

“My vision for the South-West is a globally competitive, forward-looking, resilient economy in a prosperous Nigeria,” he stated, adding that infrastructure, regional interconnectivity, and energy self-sufficiency would be key priorities.

 

 

 

Drawing from his 30 years of experience outside academia, Akinola emphasized the need to harness the talents of South-West Nigerians at home and abroad to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government.

 

Chairman of the Senate Committee on SWDC, Senator Yunus Akintunde, reminded the nominees of the unique responsibility they bear as the commission’s pioneer leadership team. He clarified that the initial allocation is only a takeoff grant, and real growth will depend on effective management and strategic execution.