Akpabio Commends Umeh, Abaribe for Bold Advocacy as South East Secures NCC Board Slot

By Our Correspondent

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has commended Senators Victor Umeh and Enyinnaya Abaribe for their courage and diligence in championing the interests of the South East after an earlier oversight had left the region out of the list of nominees to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Board.

At Tuesday’s plenary, the Senate confirmed Idris Olurunnimbe as Chairman of the NCC Board, alongside commissioners representing the six geopolitical zones.

The confirmation followed an intervention by Senators Umeh (Anambra Central) and Abaribe (Abia South), who pointed out that the original nomination list submitted to the Senate had omitted a representative from the South East.

The two senators promptly raised the issue with the Senate President, who described their intervention as a genuine expression of responsive representation.

Acting swiftly, Akpabio returned the corrected list to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who subsequently approved the inclusion of Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede as the South East representative.

Addressing the chamber, Akpabio commended Umeh and Abaribe for their vigilance and courage, noting that their firm stand helped safeguard fairness and inclusiveness in the nation’s governance.

“This is what representation is all about — standing up for your own people and ensuring equity in governance,” Akpabio said.

In his response, Umeh thanked the Senate President for his open-mindedness and commitment to equity, saying Akpabio’s swift intervention had reinforced confidence in the Senate’s role in promoting national balance.

With the NCC Board’s composition now reflecting all six geopolitical zones, the development has been described as a victory for fairness, inclusiveness and unity under the responsive leadership of the 10th Senate.