President Bola Tinubu, along with the Federal Executive Council, has officially announced the dissolution of two key ministries. the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development.

This significant decision was made public by Bayo Onanuga, who serves as the special adviser on information and strategy to the president.

The announcement was disseminated through his official account on X, marking a pivotal moment in the administration’s approach to government management and resource allocation.

The decision to restructure these ministries was made during a thorough meeting of the Federal Executive Council, which took place in the capital, Abuja.

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of regional governance, a new Ministry of Regional Development has been established.

This ministry will take on the crucial responsibility of overseeing all regional development commissions across the country, which notably includes managing the operations and initiatives of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

In addition to this significant restructuring, the functions and responsibilities previously held by the Ministry of Sports Development will now be transferred to the newly formed National Sports Commission.

This transition aims to streamline and enhance the management of sports in the country.

Moreover, as part of this comprehensive restructuring process, the Ministry of Tourism will undergo a merger with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy, thereby creating a more cohesive approach to the development and promotion of both tourism and cultural initiatives within Nigeria.

President Tinubu

On Tuesday, former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo bemoaned the nation’s lack of unity, claiming that it is one of the problems that has prevented the nation from becoming great and the beacon of the entire Black race.

According to Obasanjo, he is still adamant that things would improve for the nation ‘as long as we can look back as a country and correct the mistake of the past,’ even in light of the depressing state of affairs.

The former president explained that ‘the truth is that at independence, Nigeria emerged with three leaders and so it is that regionalism, as practiced prior to obtaining independence in October 1960, is the foundation of the country’s prolonged lack of cohesion.”‘Three nations in one has been the situation ever since.

At his penthouse inside the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Obasanjo revealed this to a 20-member delegation of the League of Northern Democrats, which was led by Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, the former governor of Kano State.

‘It is high time we began working for the national interest,’ the former president stated, adding that the merit, capacity, and ability to deliver on what we move the nation forward should be of utmost importance when choosing leaders, rather than the question of where you come from.

According to Obasanjo, ‘es, you have designated your organization as the League of Northern Democrats, but how It should not be an issue where you come from, so I hope you title your organization the National League of Democrats.

I shouldn’t let my place of birth work against my Nigerian identity. Rather than becoming a citizen of the Republic of Oodua, I shall be growing as a Nigerian.

A Nigerian shouldn’t be an obstacle to my Yoruba identity, even though I am pleased to be one. No matter where he comes from, we have to hire the best individual for the position. We need to straighten up.

re admired by the Black race, the African continent, and the entire world. When we gained our independence, we were referred to as giants in the sun, but Does that still hold true today?

In addition to disappointing the black community, Africa, and the entire world, we have also let ourselves down.

We are correct to be concerned because we have disregarded the importance of honesty, love, and integrity, but it is yet possible to turn around. We ought to move on from the past and strive for Nigeria’s glory.

Obasanjo went on to say that he agreed with the group’s concerns about the current state of affairs in the nation, but that as long as everyone is willing to band together and work as one nation, the situation can still be saved.

As a proud member of the Black race, he stated that he will always be a Pan-Africanist, a patriotic and nationalistic Nigerian.

Since the principles the League of Northern Democrats upheld are what united the country, he pushed them to think about renaming themselves the National League of Democrats.

He also stated that if he is too old to be an active member of the League, he would not mind funding them.

Prior to this, Shekarau, the group’s leader, stated that the nonpartisan organization was founded roughly three months ago with the goal of promoting national unity and efficient governance.

The group is concerned with issues of unity, youth vigor and employment, education, decent administration, credible individuals in government, insecurity, and the nation’s overall underdevelopment, according to the former governor.

The group, which is composed of individuals from various professions in the country’s northern regions, came together, according to Shekarau, to discuss how it would affect attempts to solve the nation’s issues, including the appointment of trustworthy leaders and effective administration.

He bemoaned the fact that the country’s 93 million registered voters are unable to elect the governing elite, which he said consists of little more than 11,000 people.

‘Here are only a little over 11,000 of the 93 million registered voters, including the 36 governors and their deputies, the president and his vice, the 469 members of the House of Representatives and Senate, the council members, and the chairmen of local governments,’ Shekarau stated.

Cannot elect trustworthy leaders by looking around the nation. Thus, as a collective, we intend to address all of these through our activism.

The previous governor added that, in accordance with the former president’s advice, the group’s name will be changed to National following appropriate consultation in order to provide a feeling of community for all members.

A New Era for Lagos: Replacing LCDAs with Administrative Areas
In a bold move that seeks to redefine governance and enhance service delivery in Nigeria’s commercial capital, the Lagos State government has embarked on an ambitious plan to replace the existing Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) with well-structured administrative areas.

This initiative is not merely a change in nomenclature, but a strategic overhaul aimed at improving local administration and fostering community engagement.

The rationale behind this shift is rooted in the need for a more cohesive, effective governance framework that caters to the diverse needs of Lagosians.

With a burgeoning population exceeding 20 million, the traditional LCDA structure has often struggled to keep pace with the escalating demands of urbanization, infrastructure development, and public service provision.

The introduction of Administrative Areas is envisioned to streamline operations and allocate resources more efficiently, ensuring that the needs of residents are addressed swiftly and effectively.

Under this new framework, the Administrative Areas will be equipped with enhanced autonomy, allowing local leaders to make more informed decisions that directly impact their communities.

This decentralization is expected to empower community stakeholders, fostering a greater sense of ownership and responsibility among residents. With more localized governance, citizens will have improved access to participate in decision-making processes, thereby strengthening democracy at the grassroots level.

Moreover, the proposed Administrative Areas will prioritize infrastructure development, health, education, and security—areas that have long been neglected or inadequately addressed under the LCDA system.

By acknowledging the unique characteristics and challenges of each area, the government can tailor its initiatives to suit the specific needs of different communities, leading to more sustainable and impactful outcomes.

This transition is particularly timely, as Lagos continues to confront various socio-economic challenges, from traffic congestion to housing shortages.

The establishment of administrative Areas aligns with the state’s broader vision of creating a smarter, more resilient city.

Through strategic planning and the incorporation of technology, the new administrative framework can facilitate faster response times to urban issues, promote efficiency in service delivery, and support economic growth.

As Lagosians prepare for this significant transformation, it is essential that the government fosters transparent communication and solicits input from the community throughout the process. By doing so, the transition can be seamless, ensuring that all stakeholders are on board and ready to contribute to a new chapter in the state’s governance.

In conclusion, the replacement of LCDAs with Administrative Areas in Lagos heralds a vital shift towards more responsive and inclusive governance.

With the right approach and community collaboration, this initiative has the potential to enhance the quality of life for residents and set a precedent for effective local governance in Nigeria.

The future of Lagos is bright, and this new era promises to usher in unprecedented opportunities for all.

A New Era for Lagos