Obiano Hails Okoye As SEDC MD, Extols Leadership Acumen

Former governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has congratulated his former appointee, Mark Okoye, over his recent appointment as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the newly inaugurated South East Development Commission.

Obiano, in a chat with newsmen, spoke glowingly of the leadership qualities and potential of Okoye, who held key positions in his government from being a member of the Anambra Economic Think-Tank to Commissioner for Budget and Planning.

The ex-governor said, “I played a pivotal role in shaping Mark Okoye’s public sector journey, recognising his potential early and entrusting him with critical responsibilities that significantly impacted Anambra’s economic and governance landscape.

“I entrusted him with key responsibilities and provided the necessary mentorship and support to enable him succeed. My confidence in Okoye’s capabilities helped me to implement critical economic and governance reforms that strengthened Anambra’s fiscal health, improved investment inflows and enhanced the ease of doing business in the state.”

According to Obiano, in fiscal transparency, Okoye ensured that Anambra ranked among the top five states in Nigeria for budget transparency and fiscal sustainability under BudgIT’s assessments throughout his tenure as commissioner; served as Anambra’s focal person for the Federal Government-assisted Social Investment Programme, widely recognised as one of the best-performing in the country.

“As a member of the Anambra Economic Think-Tank, Okoye was appointed as a member of the high-level economic advisory body that I chaired, which included commissioners from key ministries such as Finance, Budget, Lands, and Trade and Commerce,” he added.

He emphasised that his belief in young leaders was exemplified in the decision to appoint Okoye to various strategic roles, culminating in his historic appointment as Nigeria’s youngest commissioner in the Fourth Republic.