South-East Youths condemn alleged SEDC ‘Media Trial’, reaffirm confidence in Okoye

By Dennis Agbo

ENUGU — The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), South-East Zone, has criticized the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) over what it described as a “media trial” of the commission’s leadership during a recent appearance before the National Assembly.

The group expressed concern over the committee’s treatment of the Managing Director of the SEDC, Dr. Mark Okoye, describing the exercise as a scripted attack disguised as legislative oversight.

Addressing a press conference in Enugu on Wednesday, the South-East Vice President of NYCN, Comrade Henry Atigwe, alleged that the committee’s actions were driven by motives unrelated to the interests of the people of the South-East.

“We take exception to the media trial of the commission in Abuja without proper oversight by the Senate. Information available to the NYCN indicates that there were other motives behind the exercise rather than the genuine interests of the people of the South-East,” Atigwe said.

The youth body noted that expectations have remained high since the establishment of the SEDC, given the region’s longstanding infrastructural deficits, economic challenges, youth unemployment and developmental concerns.

Describing the commission as a relatively young institution, the council said significant groundwork had already been laid under Okoye’s leadership.

“The South East Development Commission stands today as one of the most proactive regional intervention agencies in the country,” Atigwe stated.

He cited developmental programmes, strategic engagements, capacity-building initiatives, economic empowerment efforts and institutional reforms as evidence of the commission’s commitment to repositioning the region for sustainable growth.

The council stressed that meaningful development requires planning, consistency, continuity and institutional stability, arguing that no development agency can deliver transformational results within a short period.

NYCN described Dr. Okoye as a competent and experienced public administrator whose background in governance, economic development, investment promotion and public policy has earned him the confidence of stakeholders within and outside the region.

According to the group, Okoye possesses the leadership qualities required to build strong institutions capable of driving long-term development in the South-East.

The council urged stakeholders to assess the performance of the commission based on measurable outcomes, ongoing projects, institutional reforms and its long-term development agenda rather than what it termed distractions and unnecessary controversies.

It also warned against actions capable of creating division or undermining institutions established to advance the welfare of the people.

NYCN commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the SEDC and appointing Okoye to lead the commission, describing the move as a demonstration of commitment to inclusiveness, regional development and national progress.

The group further called on South-East governors and other stakeholders to continue supporting the commission, saying its programmes were already yielding positive results.

It urged collective backing for initiatives aimed at promoting development, industrialisation, entrepreneurship, innovation, job creation, peace and prosperity across the region.