The Senate, on Wednesday screened all 18 nominees forwarded by President Bola Tinubu for appointment as the Chairman and members of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC).
The Senate urged the nominees to fulfill the Commission’s mandate while managing the affairs of the establishment, ensuring it achieves its intended purpose as outlined by the current administration.
Opening the screening session at the National Assembly Complex, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South-West Development Commission, Senator Yunus Akintunde, emphasized that the process was guided by Sections 147-151 of the amended 1999 Constitution, the Senate Standing Orders, and the principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness.
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Before the screening began, Akintunde informed the nominees that the Commission’s budget is primarily a take-off grant and not its capital budget. He stressed the importance of effective management to fulfill the agency’s mandate. “You have a take-off grant. This means that the responsibility lies with the management and the board. You are entering a special session as the pioneer group, which comes with unique tasks. I trust that God will assist you.”
After formally introducing the nominees and Committee members, Akintunde noted that the SWDC Chairman-designate, Olubumi Adetunbi, would not be subjected to questioning, considering his past service as a Senator in two different assemblies. He invited Adetunbi to introduce himself, bow, and observe the proceedings.
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This courtesy was similarly extended to all other board members, except for the nominee for the position of Managing Director, Dr. Charles Akinola. Akinola faced questions from several Senators, but the majority of the Committee members attested to his integrity and capability to carry out the responsibilities of his appointment, noting his history of successful endeavors.
In response to inquiries, Akinola assured attendees that under his leadership, the Commission would focus on creating an economic bloc as a defining feature, allowing for the establishment of a competitive regional identity that would attract investments and talents. He stated, “The vision will be anchored on a strong regional development strategy uniting six states as one bloc, facilitating the creation of a competitive regional identity.”
With over 30 years of experience outside of academia, Akinola expressed his ambition for the South-West region to be a globally competitive and resilient economy within a prosperous Nigeria. He envisions the South-West as a leading hub for manufacturing, innovation, and job creation, particularly in digital industries and the creative economy.
Akinola committed to aligning with the “Nigerian Renewed Hope Agenda,” emphasizing the need to leverage the talents from the South-West, which are among the brightest in the country. He highlighted infrastructure development as a priority for the Commission, focusing on regional interconnectivity and energy self-sufficiency, which would serve as the backbone for industrialization in the South-West.
The following nominees were screened and are pending confirmation by the Senate in plenary:
– Senator Olubumi Adetunbi (Ekiti State, Chairman)
– Dr. Charles Akinola (Osun State, Managing Director)
– Alhaji Lateef Ajijola Oladimeji, Executive Director, Social and Human Capital Development (Ekiti)
– Tele Ogunjobi, Executive Director, Finance (Ogun)
– Adefumilayo Tejuosho, Executive Director, Corporate Services (Lagos)
– Fatai Ibikunle Bayonne, Executive Director, Environmental Development (Oyo)
Other screened nominees as members of the South-West Development Commission include:
– Hon. Scholastica Olanike (Osun)
– Bolaji Idris Ariyo (Lagos)
– Joseph Akin Olugbenga (Ekiti)
– Oluwamuyiwa Timothy Olabintan (Lagos)
– Dr. Adewinle Olayinde Martins (Ondo)
– Dr. Ibrahim Adeniyi Olaifa (Oyo)
– Kabiru Ado Lakwaya (Kano)
– Abdul Biu Adamu (Borno)
– Mr. Akinola Fagbemi Benjamin (North-Central)
– Ukoha Onyekwere Michael (Abia)
– Engr. Hanachor Alwell Owhorle(South-South), and
– Olusegun Joshua Olufehinti (South-South).
