The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Regional Development Commissions yesterday told nominees for appointments into the governing boards of the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) and the Northwest Development Commission (NWDC) not to betray the trust reposed in them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other Nigerians.
The ad hoc committee spoke after grilling the nominees for the boards of the two regional commissions.
First to undergo grilling by the Senator Orji Uzor Kalu-led committee were the 14 nominees of the NWDC. They are: Lawal Abdullahi (Chairman), and Abdullahi Ma’aji (Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer), Yahaya Namahe, Aminu Suleiman, and Ja’afar Sadeeq.
Others are: Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammad Wudil, Shamsu Sule, Nasidi Ali, Chukwu Chijtoke, Ahmed Mohammed, Ahmed Timasantyu, Macdonalds Uyi, and Babatunde Dada.
Also screened were the 18 nominees for the SEDC, led by Emeka Nworgu (Chairman) and Mark Okoye (Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer).
Others are: Ugochukwu Agballah, Okey Ezenwa, Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Kumo, Edward Onoja, Orure Inima, Daniel Akwari and Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.
Also, Stanley Ohajuruka was screened as Executive Director, Finance; Sylvester Okonkwo, Executive Director, Corporate Services; Toby Okechukwu, Executive Director, Projects; Anthony Agbo, Executive Director, Commercial and Industrial Development; and Clifford Ogbede as Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development.
During the screening, Senator Babangida Hussaini told the nominees that there would be “no room for failure” for them.
He said: “Candidly speaking, ours is to urge you to know that the confidence of Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu, who found you worthy of this appointment, will be on your shoulders.
“Justify the appointment by working hard for Nigerians. You all know that we have a lot of challenges. Don’t let Nigeria and the President down.”
Shortly after a brief introduction by the SEDC nominees, Senator Orji Kalu told them to prioritise the interest of the people.
He also warned them against unethical practices.
Kalu added: “I want to warn you that you are the face of this organisation and we don’t want anything that will bring the name of our President to disrepute.
“We will not tolerate anything that is against the interest of the people. The Senate committee will oversee you seriously.
“Don’t pay for a job that is not done. We won’t hesitate to report back to the President to sack you. Use the money for the development of the people. So far, no member has objected to your clearance.
“Look at the trust these members have given to you. We want you to improve the relationship between you and the National Assembly. We are attending to you because of the budget process. If you don’t do it, your commissions will miss the budget process because the Senate will soon go on recess.”