FG rebrands Ministry of Niger Delta Development

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga announced that the Ministry of Niger Delta Development has been rebranded as the Ministry of Regional Development.

According to report, this was disclosed after Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on October 23, 2024.

Engr. Abubakar Momoh, the minister overseeing the newly formed Ministry of Regional Development, also clarified that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) remains operational despite the name change.

Engr. Momoh, who previously led the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, explained that the ministry’s responsibilities have been expanded under its new title.

Momoh revealed that the Ministry of Regional Development will supervise all agencies previously under the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

He pointed out that the new ministry will also oversee other regional commissions in the country.

He said: “For our people over there in the Niger Delta region, I would like them to know that, that has not removed anything from them.

“The NDDC is still very much in place, which is still under the Ministry of Regional Development and all other such agencies are there.

“It’s just a question of change of nomenclature”, he added.

He reassured those from the Niger Delta region that the ministry is still committed to its original objectives and is not being scrapped.

He said: “All the structures and everything about the Niger Delta remains.

“It’s just a change of nomenclature and, of course, expansion of activities of the ministry.

“So I think it’s something worthy of commendation”, he concluded.

Earlier on reshuffle of President Tinubu’s cabinet 

President Bola Tinubu’s highly anticipated cabinet reshuffle as reported by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) came with significant changes to the administration.

In this dramatic overhaul, six ministers lost their positions, while 10 others were reassigned to new roles.

This move is reported to be part of Tinubu’s efforts to boost his Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to revitalize the government’s momentum.

As part of this shake-up, seven new ministerial appointments were announced.

This includes Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu is the widow of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a revered figure in Nigerian politics.

Bianca’s nomination, along with six others, has been forwarded to the National Assembly for confirmation.

Other nominees of the new ministerial appointments includes

• Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
• Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment.
• Idi Mukhtar Maiha to the newly created Livestock Development Ministry.
• Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development.
• Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
• Nentawe Yilwada will replace Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

In another key appointment, Shehu Dikko was named chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

He was tasked with overseeing the activities and programs previously handled by the now-defunct Ministry of Sports Development.

Notably, this ministry was dissolved, along with the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

Additionally, two former ministers from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration were also appointed to new roles.

Reports claim that these changes reflect Tinubu’s commitment to reinvigorating his cabinet and advancing his policy agenda.

The swift reshuffle is seen as a strategic move to reassert his leadership and tackle the country’s pressing challenges.

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