Senate Appoints Orji Uzor Kalu as Chairman of South East Development Commission

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu 

The Nigerian Senate has appointed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia-North) as the pioneer Chairman of the newly established Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 4, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The SEDC, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, is one of the Regional Development Commissions aimed at addressing key developmental challenges in the South-East region.

Kalu to Lead Strategic Development Efforts

Before his latest appointment, Senator Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State, served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation. He will now spearhead the SEDC’s efforts to tackle pressing issues in the South-East, including:

✅ Civil restitution and rebuilding efforts

✅ Addressing severe erosion problems

✅ Restoring security in affected areas

✅ Improving critical infrastructure

Senator Ken Eze (Ebonyi Central) was named Vice Chairman of the committee, while Akpabio stated that additional committee members would be announced soon.

SEDC Board Leadership Confirmed

In addition to Kalu’s appointment, the Senate also confirmed the leadership of the 18-member SEDC board, with:

• Dr. Emeka Nworgu – Chairman
• Hon. Mark Okoye – Managing Director & CEO

Other board members include:

🔹 Ugochukwu H. Agballah

🔹 Hon. Okey Izenwa

🔹 Chief Hyacinth Ikpor

🔹 Chidi Echeazu

🔹 Ifeanyi Agwu

🔹 Nasiru Usman

🔹 Hamma Adama Ali

🔹 Kumo Edward David Onoja

🔹 Orure Kufre Inima

Additionally, the executive team includes:

• Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka (Executive Director, Finance)
• Chief Sylvester Okonkwo (Executive Director, Corporate Services)
• Hon. Toby Okechukwu (Executive Director, Projects)
• Senator Anthony Agbo (Executive Director, Commercial & Industrial Development)
• Dr. Clifford Ogbede (Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Rural Development)

A New Era for South-East Development?

With Kalu at the helm, the SEDC is expected to accelerate developmental initiatives in the South-East, addressing long-standing challenges in infrastructure, security, and economic growth.

As stakeholders await further policy directions, will this commission bring tangible change to the region? Time will tell.