Newly-constituted NEDC board will perform well — Onuigbo

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The South East representative of the recently inaugurated Board of North East Development Commission (NEDC), Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo, has assured Nigerians that the board would deliver on its mandate and rediscover socio-economic possibilities for the Northeast region.

He said the new board would structure plans in a manner that would renew hope and delivers enduring development.

While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy to be appointed as NEDC board member, Onuigbo expressed appreciation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for ensuring that his nomination was not hampered.

In a statement on Friday, he said: “As we start work as Board Members of this important Commission, what I will bring on board is selfless service anchored on the vision of providing advice on visionary, impactful, and futuristic ideas for the sustainable development of the North East.

“I am immensely pleased to be given the opportunity to serve as the South East representative on the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) — a Commission charged with the rehabilitation, resettlement and rebuilding of the North East following the devastation caused by terrorism and other existential issues like climate change.

“This, indeed, is a call to service and one which I approach with the same level of dedication that has characterised my many years of service, whether as a staff of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Commissioner in Abia State, and as a two-time member of the House of Representatives.

“On each occasion, I demonstrated excellence in service and innovation, which led to uncommon results for the benefit of the people.

“My eye for initiating novel and impactful policy solutions, for instance, saw to the sponsorship of 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 Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame 2023.”

Onuigbo, who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, appreciated God Almighty for his benevolence and guidance, even as he thanked his immediate family, friends and allies for standing by him all the time.

The former two-term federal lawmaker also implored his people to keep hope alive and continue their support for the APC administration,