Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori , has called for the adoption of inclusive governance across Nigeria, describing it as essential to strengthening national unity and achieving sustainable development.
Oborevwori made the call on Wednesday while delivering a lecture titled “Inclusive Governance and National Unity: Lessons from Delta State for a More United Nigeria” at the annual lecture of the Yoruba Tennis Club in Lagos.
He said Nigeria’s diversity requires a governance model that guarantees representation, fairness, and participation for all groups, particularly marginalized communities.
The governor presented Delta State’s governance approach as a working model, noting that his administration’s MORE Agenda—Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security, has driven inclusive policies across the state.
According to him, the approach has resulted in equitable infrastructure development, expanded healthcare access, and balanced educational investments across the three senatorial districts.
Oborevwori disclosed that more than 2.7 million residents are enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme, while major infrastructure projects, including the Effurun-Warri flyovers and rural road networks, are designed to enhance economic integration beyond ethnic divides.
He added that over 300,000 people have benefited from state programmes focused on skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and employment, stressing that policies such as the Widows Welfare Scheme and other social interventions reflect the administration’s commitment to inclusivity for both indigenes and non-indigenes.
On national issues, the governor commended President Bola Tinubu for implementing economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, which he described as necessary steps toward long-term economic recovery.
He argued that increased financial capacity at the subnational level has enabled states and local governments to execute impactful development projects, thereby promoting inclusive growth.
Oborevwori also called for deliberate efforts to build a shared national identity through education, media, and youth-focused initiatives, urging stakeholders to embrace Nigeria’s cultural diversity as a unifying strength.
He proposed the institutionalisation of a national conference every ten years, involving government, traditional rulers, and civil society groups, to assess progress on inclusivity and national cohesion.
The governor emphasized that national unity must be built from the grassroots through inclusive policies at state and local government levels, adding that equitable development across the federating units would reduce tensions and strengthen Nigeria’s collective identity.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, described the centenary celebration of the Yoruba Tennis Club as a significant milestone, noting that attaining 100 years of relevance is a remarkable achievement.
He commended Oborevwori for his development efforts in Delta State and welcomed participants to the event.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasanjo, also appreciated the organisers for the invitation and praised the Delta State governor for attending the programme.
Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Olawunmi Gasper, welcomed guests and highlighted the club’s enduring legacy as it approaches its centenary celebration.
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