A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former member of the national assembly from Abia State, Hon Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo, has spoken on his recent appointment to serve as the representative of the southeast zone on the board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
AFRIPOST recalls that President Tinubu had in July 2023, approved the re-appointment of General Paul Tarfa (rtd) from Adamawa State as the Chairman of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, representing the North East geo-political zone.
He also approved the re-appointment of Mohammed Goni Alkali from Borno State (North East) as the Managing Director of the commission, and Musa Yashi from Bauchi, also North East, as the Executive Director, Humanitarian Affairs.
Last week Tuesday, the Nigerian senate confirmed the appointment of the trio and all other nominees, including the ex-lawmaker who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Sam Onuigbo who will serve as the representative of the southeast zone in North East Development Commission.
The confirmation of the new board members followed a letter by President Tinubu to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, explaining his action was in line with Section 5 of the North East Development Commission, Act 2023.
Earlier, Mr Onuigbo, a former State Commissioner of Finance and Works, while reacting in a statement issued at the weekend, asserted that this call to service is one which he would approach with the same level of dedication that has characterized his many years of service whether as a staff of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, commissioner in his home state, Abia, and as a two-term member of the house of representatives
According to him, “On each occasion, I brought in excellence in service and innovation which led to uncommon results for the benefit of the people.
“My eye for initiating novel and impactful visions, for instance, saw me sponsor the climate change bill which is today an Act of Parliament and the legal framework for Nigeria’s efforts to tackle climate change.
“For this, I was inducted into the National Assembly’s most valuable parliamentarian hall of fame 2023,” the ex-lawmaker added.
Mr Onuigbo who was also the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Abia central district seat during the just-concluded February 25, 2023, national assembly elections held in the country, assured Nigerians of selfless service anchored on the vision of providing advice on visionary, impactful and futuristic ideas for the sustainable development of the northeast geopolitical zone.
“We must structure our plans in a manner that renews hope and delivers development that is enduring and sustainable”.
He further used the fora to express his sincere appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy to serve as a board member of North East Development Commission (NEDC).
“In the same vein, I want to thank in a special way, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamalia, Chief of Staff to the President for ensuring that my nomination was successful.
“Similarly, I thank my family, friends, supporters, and indeed the good people of Abia central senatorial district whom I sought to serve during the last election, as the Senatorial candidate of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). We will succeed.
Recall that former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the North East Development Commission [NEDC] Bill 2017, a significant statement to underscore national concern with the devastation suffered by the region due to the Boko Haram insurgency.