News
Lost assets: Cardoso leads Lagos eight-man rebuild team
- Sanwo-Olu signs executive order
Fola Raheem
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday signed an Executive Order for the formation of an eight-man board to coordinate efforts to restore assets lost or damaged in the recent attacks by hoodlums on public and private facilities in the state.
Citibank Nigeria Chairman, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, will head the Board of the Lagos Rebuild Trust Fund. The board members were unveiled at a press conference at the Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja.
A statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, reported Sanwo-Olu said the government decided to put the destruction behind it and face the huge and necessary task of rebuilding the state.
The government, he said, would be embracing new standards of governance and building stronger partnerships, which would enable the state to bequeath stronger institutions and cohesion among residents.
He spoke of how many friends and admirers of the state had been calling to lend a hand in the rebuilding of the razed assets.
He said, “In the last few weeks, we have been inundated with local and global offers of assistance to rebuild our state and recover all we lost to arson and violence in October. It is obvious that we can no longer wait to begin the onerous task of reconstructing Lagos. In the next few days, our government will be sending a bill to the House of Assembly for the establishment of a Trust Fund to Rebuild Lagos.
“Today, I am signing an Executive Order to set up an eight-man Lagos Rebuild Trust Fund Committee, which will begin to oversee our recovery process. To ensure the highest standards of probity, transparency and accountability, FBN Trustees headed by Mr Kunle Awojobi will oversee the Lagos Rebuild Trust Fund Committee. The Committee will comprise five members from the private sector, two members from the public sector and one member from the International Donor Aid Community.
“We will embrace new standards of governance and build stronger partnerships, stronger people, stronger institutions, and stronger Lagos. Our strength lies in our uncanny ability to overcome the most complicated challenges because we have people who genuinely love Lagos State and will assiduously do all they can to preserve its peace and unity.”
Sanwo-Olu said the trust fund would be responsible for getting detailed cost of restructuring and rebuilding of destroyed assets.
The Funds, he added, will also advise the state government on the most critical assets to prioritise and identify emergency response service critically needed.
The rebuilding plan, the governor said, would be all-inclusive, stressing that the government would welcome support and contributions from well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations who believe in the Lagos dream.
His words: “I believe this is the starting point of a new socio-economic process. I am hopeful that this initiative will help us to seamlessly make the transition to a rebuilt Lagos with upgraded public structures, facilities and amenities. I know that the ashes that presently dot our landscape will birth modern and globally acceptable infrastructure.
“At the centre of this decisive action to rebuild Lagos is the need to closely work with the people and organisations who call Lagos home; those who believe in the Lagos dream, and those who share our collective vision of a mega-city that thrives on peace and unity among all ethnic groups.”
Other members of the Trust Fund’s Board are the Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN; Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; Co-Founder and CEO, Flutterwave; Mr. Gbenga Agboola; Vice Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Bola Adesola – all representing the private sector – and a representative of an International Donor Agency.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Sam Egube, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Jimi Hotonou, are members of the Board representing the public sector.
As part of the government’s objectives to fully heal the wounds of the crisis, the governor also announced six other committees. They are: Business Continuity Committee; Assessment Committee; Execution, Measurement and Evaluation Committee; Communication and Engagement Committee; Trust Fund Implementation Committee; and Security and Enforcement Committee.
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News
Presidency Clarifies Edun, Dangiwa Resigned—Not Sacked
Presidency Clarifies Edun, Dangiwa Resigned—Not Sacked
The Presidency has clarified that former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, resigned from office on health grounds and was not removed, putting to rest speculation surrounding his exit from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
In a statement issued in Abuja by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the government also confirmed that the former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, similarly stepped down voluntarily.
According to the Presidency, Edun conveyed his decision in a formal resignation letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing health concerns. The former minister, who recently turned 70, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the administration.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda. Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected,” his letter read in part.
The Presidency disclosed that Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President on Tuesday, where both men held a closed-door meeting lasting about an hour before the official announcement of his resignation.
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Following the meeting, Edun was said to have departed Abuja to focus on private business interests and personal matters, marking the end of his tenure in public office for now.
Similarly, Ahmed Dangiwa thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, as the administration acknowledged his contributions to housing and urban development policies during his time in office.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to both former ministers for their service and roles in advancing the government’s reform agenda, wishing them success in their future endeavours.
As part of the transition, the Presidency confirmed that Taiwo Oyedele has assumed office as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. He has been tasked with consolidating ongoing fiscal reforms and driving Nigeria’s economic agenda with renewed discipline and innovation.
In the housing sector, the President is expected to forward the nomination of Muttaqha Darma to the Senate for confirmation as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Edun, a seasoned economist and investment banker, previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 during Tinubu’s tenure as governor, where he played a key role in fiscal reforms at the state level.
His tenure at the federal level was marked by efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s economy, manage public finances, and implement reforms amid inflationary pressures and global economic uncertainty.
The Presidency’s clarification comes amid heightened public interest and political commentary following the recent cabinet reshuffle, with officials emphasising that the exits were voluntary and part of a smooth leadership transition within the administration.
Presidency Clarifies Edun, Dangiwa Resigned—Not Sacked
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Insecurity in Nigeria: US Lawmaker Accuses Matawalle of Attempt to Silence Global Scrutiny
Insecurity in Nigeria: US Lawmaker Accuses Matawalle of Attempt to Silence Global Scrutiny
A fresh controversy has erupted over Nigeria insecurity, drawing international attention after a United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of attempting to suppress global scrutiny of ongoing violence across parts of the country.
Daniels, a member of the Florida House of Representatives and Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats, made the allegations during a Facebook Live broadcast, where she claimed there were coordinated efforts linked to the minister to influence American officials and control the narrative surrounding the security crisis in Nigeria.
According to Daniels, her earlier statements highlighting what she described as targeted killings in Nigeria, particularly affecting Christian communities, triggered pressure from individuals she alleged were associated with Matawalle. She said these efforts included attempts to discredit her report, circulate counter-narratives, and lobby U.S.-based elected officials to publicly oppose her position. Daniels further alleged that an unnamed American lawmaker was “persuaded” to defend Nigeria’s defence leadership, raising concerns about possible external influence on U.S. political voices.
“I am speaking on behalf of people who say they are under attack,” Daniels stated, emphasizing that her intervention was intended to call for investigation into the violence in Northern Nigeria rather than make outright accusations. She insisted that no amount of pressure would silence her, citing her constitutional right to speak on international human rights issues.
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The controversy stems from a report released on April 14, 2026, by Daniels under the UN-WCD, which spotlighted escalating insecurity in Northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-Central and North-West regions. The report referenced attacks during the Easter period in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states, noting what it described as a widening gap between government assurances and the realities faced by communities on the ground.
In addition to documenting the Nigeria killings crisis, the report questioned the credibility of the current defence leadership and recommended a review of the country’s security architecture. It specifically called on Bola Tinubu to consider redeploying Matawalle and initiating a transparent investigation into both the security situation and the allegations of influence operations.
Daniels maintained that her findings were based on testimonies from affected communities, contributions from members of the Nigerian diaspora, and intelligence gathered through the UN-WCD’s multinational network spanning the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and Canada. She stressed that the aim was to promote accountability and draw global attention to the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, not to interfere with the country’s sovereignty.
As of now, Matawalle has not issued an official response to the allegations. However, the development has sparked debate within political and diplomatic circles, with some Nigerian stakeholders cautioning against foreign involvement in domestic security matters, while others argue that international attention could help address the Nigeria security crisis more effectively.
The situation underscores growing global concern over banditry in Nigeria, insurgency, and communal violence, as well as increasing scrutiny of how Nigeria’s defence leadership is handling the crisis. It also highlights the expanding influence of diaspora voices and foreign lawmakers in shaping international narratives around Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
Insecurity in Nigeria: US Lawmaker Accuses Matawalle of Attempt to Silence Global Scrutiny
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News
BREAKING: Tinubu Allegedly Shakes Up Cabinet, Removes Wale Edun, Ahmed Dangiwa
BREAKING: Tinubu Allegedly Shakes Up Cabinet, Removes Wale Edun, Ahmed Dangiwa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly approved a minor cabinet reshuffle involving key changes in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), including the removal of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, alongside the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
The development was said to have been contained in a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, directing immediate transition processes across the affected ministries.
Wale Edun, Dangiwa Relieved of Ministerial Duties
According to the reported directive, Wale Edun has been asked to hand over duties at the Ministry of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Similarly, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa is to vacate his position as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
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The memo reportedly instructed that all handover processes be concluded on or before close of business on Thursday, April 23, 2026, ensuring a smooth administrative transition within the affected ministries.
Succession Arrangements and Ministerial Changes
The document further stated that Mr. Taiwo Oyedele has been named as the incoming Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, following Edun’s exit.
In the housing ministry, Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma has reportedly been nominated as Minister-designate for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, pending formal confirmation procedures. Until then, Dangiwa has been directed to hand over to the Minister of State within the ministry.
Presidency Explains Reason for Reshuffle
Explaining the development, SGF George Akume was quoted as saying the changes are aimed at improving cohesion, synergy in governance, and economic delivery under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He added that President Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), emphasizing that cabinet adjustments remain part of ongoing efforts to improve governance efficiency.
Presidential Appreciation and Next Steps
The memo also reportedly conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to outgoing ministers for their service to the nation, while wishing them success in their future engagements. It further indicated that the President assured Nigerians and cabinet members that government reinvigoration efforts will continue periodically.
BREAKING: Tinubu Allegedly Shakes Up Cabinet, Removes Wale Edun, Ahmed Dangiwa
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