SOUTH EAST YOUTHS REAFFIRM CONFIDENCE IN DR. MARK OKOYE AND THE SOUTH EAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (SEDC)

Repoter: Henry Atigwe

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), South East Zone, wishes to reaffirm its unwavering confidence and support for the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Dr. Mark Okoye, whose leadership continues to inspire hope and renewed commitment towards the transformation of the South East region.

As the umbrella body representing millions of young people across the five states of the South East, we consider it necessary to place on record the growing confidence that youths across the region have in the vision, capacity, and commitment of the current leadership of the Commission.

Since the establishment of the South East Development Commission, the people of the region have eagerly anticipated practical steps towards addressing decades of infrastructural deficits, economic challenges, youth unemployment, and developmental neglect. While the Commission remains a relatively young institution, it is evident that under the leadership of Dr. Mark Okoye, significant foundational efforts have already commenced towards achieving these objectives.

The South East Development Commission stands today as one of the most proactive regional intervention agencies in the country. Since its inauguration, the Commission has demonstrated a clear commitment to initiating developmental programs, strategic engagements, capacity-building initiatives, economic empowerment opportunities, and institutional frameworks aimed at repositioning the South East for sustainable growth and prosperity.

Indeed, among the various intervention efforts targeted at regional development, the SEDC has emerged as a beacon of hope for millions of South Easterners. The Commission has shown remarkable determination in laying the groundwork necessary for long-term development, economic revitalization, infrastructure expansion, investment attraction, youth empowerment, and social transformation.

As youths of the South East, we recognize that meaningful development is a process that requires vision, planning, consistency, and institutional stability. No serious development agency can achieve transformational outcomes overnight. The enduring success of any regional development initiative depends on strong leadership, continuity, stakeholder collaboration, and public support.

Dr. Mark Okoye, a fellow youth, possesses the professional competence, public policy experience, developmental expertise, and strategic leadership required to guide the Commission through this critical phase of institution-building. His track record in governance, economic development, investment promotion, and public administration speaks for itself and has earned him the confidence of many stakeholders within and outside the region including the President Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We therefore urge all well-meaning individuals, groups, and stakeholders to evaluate the performance of the Commission based on measurable outcomes, ongoing initiatives, institutional reforms, and its long-term developmental vision rather than distractions that may divert attention from its core mandate.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria, South East Zone, strongly believes that this is a time for collaboration, constructive engagement, and collective responsibility. The development of the South East cannot be achieved through division, unnecessary controversies, or attempts to undermine institutions that are working towards the progress of our people.

We also wish to express our profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his foresight in establishing the South East Development Commission and for the confidence reposed in Dr. Mark Okoye to lead this critical institution. The President’s commitment to addressing the developmental needs of the South East through the establishment and support of the Commission demonstrates a genuine desire for inclusiveness, regional development, and national progress.

The youths of the South East acknowledge and appreciate this confidence, and we assure the President of our continued support for every genuine effort aimed at accelerating development, creating opportunities for young people, strengthening infrastructure, promoting investment, and enhancing economic growth across the region.

We take exception to the media trial of the commission in Abuja without proper oversight function by the Senate, who information available to NYCN, indicate that it had some other selfish motive other than the interest of the people of the south east.

Today, more than ever before, the South East requires unity of purpose as we call on all the South East Governors to continue their support to the Commission as it is yielding the positive result that it requires. We must collectively support initiatives that promote development, job creation, industrialization, entrepreneurship, innovation, peace, and prosperity for our people.

The NYCN South East Zone therefore stands firmly with Dr. Mark Okoye and the South East Development Commission as they continue the important task of laying a solid foundation for the future of the region.

Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous, and more competitive South East.

Build the Youth, Build the Nation.

Signed:

Comr. Dr. Atigwe Henry Ifeanyi
Vice President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), South East Zone