Governor Charles Soludo has dissolved the Anambra State Sports Development Commission, restoring the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports in a major restructuring of the state’s sports administration.
The decision was disclosed in an 18-member list of commissioner nominees forwarded to the Anambra State House of Assembly for screening. Patrick Aghamba, a former Commissioner for Youth Empowerment during Soludo’s first term, has been nominated to head the re-established ministry.
The Anambra State Sports Development Commission was created in 2018 under former governor Willie Obiano, separating sports administration from the ministry structure. Tony Oli served as its pioneer chairman, while Patrick Onyedum was the immediate past chairman.
The move signals a return to a centralised framework, with the government indicating it will strengthen coordination and align sports development with youth-focused policies.
In recent remarks, Soludo described sports as “a strategic platform to engage young people productively, create jobs and position Anambra as a hub for talent development,” adding that integrating sports with youth development would enhance resource management and expand grassroots participation.
The commissioner nominees list includes several returning officials, among them Izuchukwu Okafor (Finance), Dr Afam Obidike (Health), Dr Law Mefor (Information and Value Reorientation), and Prof. Offornze Amucheazi (Lands).
Others are Dr Ben-Chuks Odoemena (Agriculture), Chukwukadibia Okoye (Budget and Economic Planning), Udoji Amedu (Culture, Entertainment and Tourism), Dr Ekene Ogugua (Education), and Dr Clem Aguiyi (Environment).
Also nominated are Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN (Justice/Attorney-General), Vin Ezeaka (Local Government and Community Affairs), Prof. Charles Ofoegbu (Petroleum and Mineral Resources), and Chijioke Ojukwu (Physical Planning and Urban Development).
The list further includes Casmir Agummadu (Power), Okey Ezeobi (Works and Infrastructure), Eddy Ibuzo (Transport), and Esther Chinyere Onyekesi (Women Affairs and Social Development).
The restructuring is expected to redefine sports governance in the state, with attention focused on how the ministry will drive athlete development and competitive performance.
