President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named the former Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, as the South South Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative. The appointment forms part of a wider effort to strengthen the administration’s presence across the six geopolitical zones and to broaden the reach of the President’s development programme.
The committees for each zone were inaugurated earlier today in Abuja. The event was overseen on behalf of the President by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who stated that the initiative is designed to deepen public awareness of the administration’s long term plans and to create a more organised structure for implementation at the regional level. He noted that the President expects the coordinators to work closely with state governments, traditional institutions and civil society groups to improve cooperation and ensure that the aims of the initiative are met.
Dr Okowa’s selection has drawn mixed reactions due to his role he played prior to the 2023 general election, where he served as running mate the People Democratic Party presidential candidate and his long record in public service and his influence across the Niger Delta. As governor, he pursued several social and economic programmes that advanced youth development, job creation and healthcare. His return to a national assignment is expected to bring additional weight to the South South committee and to guide its engagement with communities in a region that continues to seek broader participation in national development.
Other appointments announced at the inauguration were drawn from a mix of former governors and senior political actors. Former Governor Isah Yuguda will lead the North East committee. He is expected to focus on a zone that has experienced years of security pressure and now faces the challenge of rebuilding public confidence and infrastructure. Former Governor Aminu Bello Masari was selected for the North West, a region that carries significant political and economic importance. His experience is believed to be central to the task of coordinating outreach and improving public understanding of the federal government’s programmes.
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The South East committee will be coordinated by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and a prominent figure from the region. He is expected to apply his background in national administration to guide the committee through what many observers consider a delicate political climate. In the South West, Oladipupo Oyinbande will take charge of operations. His appointment adds a technocratic presence to the list and signals an effort to bring a mix of political and administrative skills into the initiative. For the North Central, former Governor Tanko Al-Makura was chosen to manage the committee’s work across a zone known for its diversity and strategic location.
The Renewed Hope Initiative is presented by the administration as a long term framework that covers welfare, economic inclusion, infrastructure and community engagement. The creation of zonal committees is meant to bring the programme closer to the people by placing responsibility in the hands of respected leaders with established networks. With the appointments now confirmed, each coordinator is expected to begin consultations that will shape the direction of the initiative in the months ahead.
The Presidency stated that the new coordinators will receive further briefings before the full rollout of their activities. Their work will feed into a national report that will guide future adjustments to the programme. Observers believe that the success of the initiative will depend on the ability of the committees to translate broad policies into practical actions that matter in daily life.
