The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Southeast Zone, has said the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC)  demonstrates  President Bola Tinubu’s  genuine desire for inclusiveness, regional development, and national progress.

They assured Tinubu of continued support for every genuine effort aimed at accelerating development, creating opportunities for the people, strengthening infrastructure, promoting investment, and enhancing growth across the region.

Addressing a press conference in Enugu, the youths reaffirmed confidence in the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Mr. Mark Okoye, describing him as a visionary leader capable of driving the region’s development agenda.

 Vice President of NYCN Southeast Zone, Dr. Henry Atigwe, said the youth body was compelled to publicly declare its support for Okoye and the Commission amid growing confidence among young people in the agency’s leadership and activities.

Atigwe noted that since the establishment of the SEDC, the people of the Southeast had eagerly anticipated practical steps towards addressing decades of infrastructural deficits, economic challenges, youth unemployment and developmental neglect.

According to him, although the commission remains a relatively young institution, it has already demonstrated commitment to laying the foundation for sustainable development through strategic programmes, stakeholder engagements and institutional reforms.

“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 developmental programmes, capacity-building initiatives, economic empowerment opportunities and institutional frameworks aimed at repositioning the Southeast for sustainable growth and prosperity,” he said.

The youth leader described the SEDC as a beacon of hope for millions of Southeasterners, adding that its efforts in infrastructure development, investment attraction, youth empowerment and economic revitalisation deserve public support.

He stressed that meaningful development is a gradual process that requires vision, consistency, institutional stability and collaboration among stakeholders, noting that no serious development agency can achieve transformational results overnight.

Atigwe expressed confidence in Okoye’s ability to lead the commission through its formative years, citing his experience in governance, public administration, economic development and investment promotion.

“Mr. Mark Okoye possesses the professional competence, public policy experience, developmental expertise and strategic leadership required to guide the commission through this critical phase of institution-building,” he stated.

The NYCN urged individuals, groups and stakeholders to evaluate the commission based on measurable outcomes, ongoing initiatives and its long-term development vision rather than distractions capable of undermining its mandate.

The council also criticised what it described as a “media trial” of the commission in Abuja, alleging that attempts to discredit the agency were driven by motives unrelated to the interests of the Southeast people.

“We take exception to the media trial of the commission in Abuja without proper oversight function by the Senate, which information available to NYCN indicates may have some other selfish motives other than the interest of the people of the South East,” Atigwe said.

The youth body further appealed to governors of the five Southeast states to sustain their support for the commission, insisting that unity of purpose and collaboration were essential for achieving development, industrialisation, entrepreneurship and job creation across the region.

The council reiterated its commitment to stand firmly with the commission as it works towards building a stronger, more prosperous and competitive Southeast.