The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has charged the newly constituted South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to focus on grassroots development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike gave the charge when the Board members and management team of the Commission, led by the Board Chairman, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
The FCT Minister congratulated the Board members and Management Team on their appointments by President Tinubu, emphasizing that their selection was based on trust and magnanimity and urged them not to let the President down.
The Minister said, “The only way you can justify your appointment and make the President happy is to work tirelessly to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President in your region. Your loyalty is to him. Make the President proud of the Commission”.
He urged the members not to allow themselves to be used as tools of division by those opposed to the President’s vision for regional development, adding that the overall objective of the Commission is to bring development to the people of the South-South.
“One thing that is paramount is your humble self. Are you willing to work for development of your region? Are you willing to make sure that the vision and mission of Mr. President are being achieved?”, the Minister asked.
Wike further delivered a strong admonition against the politicization of the Commission’s activities and the misuse of public funds, stressing that members must work together as a team and refrain from being used as a tool to cause division within the commission.
Outlining clear guidelines for project execution, the Minister advised members of the Commission against abandoning their primary responsibility or diverting funds meant for development projects.
He urged them to ensure financial prudence, adding that they should only embark on projects that have financial backing. “Don’t award projects to satisfy selfish interests”, the Minister stressed.
Noting the importance of stakeholder consultation, the Minister also advised members of the Commission to consult widely before deciding what project to execute in the different states of the region. “Go to the Governors and ask them questions. Don’t duplicate projects that the local government or state is doing”.
The Minister, while stressing the need for courageous leadership, thanked President Tinubu for his wisdom and courage in establishing the regional commission to accelerate development.
“It’s not easy. I know what happens when several of these commissions were created. It takes courage and leadership for Mr President to have agreed to create a commission for the various regions. “No former President, has done it before. Leadership without courage cannot achieve anything”, Barr. Wike stressed.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Board of the South-South Development Commission, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, expressed profound gratitude to the FCT Minister for his pivotal support and role in the establishment of the Commission and the appointment of its members.
Nwuche hailed the Minister’s leadership style, stating that the Board members were keen admirers of Barr. Wike’s “result-driven” approach and promised to emulate his style, particularly the timely execution of infrastructure projects. He assured the FCT Minister and President Tinubu of the Board’s total support and commitment to the development of the South-South region.
The Managing Director of the Commission, Miss Usoro Akpabio, also affirmed this commitment, thanking the Minister for his support and pledged that the Commission will carry out its mandate diligently, towards bringing development to the South-South region.
