Abia State Gov, Alex Otti has said that his administration remains fully committed to efficient service delivery and institutional reforms as it approaches its third anniversary.

Otti said this on Thursday, when he inaugurated the boards of key government agencies and institutions at the Micheal Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.

The boards include the Rural Access Roads Agency, Abia State Roads Fund, Abia State Lottery Board and Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Management Board.

Others are the Abia State Library Board and Governing Council of the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office.

The governor said the inauguration of the leadership and members of the boards was intended to strengthen governance and improve service delivery.

He emphasised that his administration remained focused on governance and development, in spite of growing political activities ahead of future elections.

“We remain as committed, enthusiastic and energetic in pursuing our development objectives as we were on the day of inauguration.

“If anything has changed, it is that we are now even more determined to do more for our people,” he said.

Otti further said that although his administration had only achieved a fraction of its targets, significant and irreversible progress had been recorded in road infrastructure, public service delivery and security.

According to him, the government has restored public confidence by aligning governance with the expectations and needs of the people.

He said that his administration had also revived the “can-do spirit” of residents by creating an environment that encouraged productivity, innovation and growth.

Otti described the inauguration of the boards as part of his efforts to strengthen institutional leadership, accountability and efficiency in government operations.

He said that the agencies were strategic to the actualisation of the administration’s medium and long-term development goals.

The governor urged the appointees to deploy their experience, competence and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

He, however, cautioned the board members against interfering in the day-to-day management of ministries, departments and agencies.

“The role of the boards is strictly policy formulation, strategic guidance and institutional oversight, while the day-to-day administration remains the responsibility of the management,” he said.

Otti also advised the management teams of the affected institutions to cooperate fully with the boards to ensure effective service delivery.

He assured the appointees of adequate welfare support to enable them to remain focused on their assignments.

The governor further commended the Abia State House of Assembly for its legislative support, especially in the passage of laws establishing some of the agencies and boards.

According to him, the cordial relationship among the different arms of government has contributed significantly to the successes recorded by the administration in the past three years.

“Abia shall indeed be great in our lifetime. We have the right quality of men and women to make that happen,” Otti said.

Responding on behalf of other appointees, Dr. Ezinne Benjamin-Kalu, thanked the State Government for the confidence reposed in the board members.

Benjamin-Kalu, who is the Chairman, ABSUTH management board, described their appointments as a call to duty, sacrifice, accountability and results.

“We do not take this responsibility for granted because public service at this level is beyond ceremony; it is about delivering results and contributing meaningfully to the development of the state,” she said.

She said that the governor’s decision to inaugurate the boards reflected the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving institutional performance across sectors.

She urged members of the various boards to justify the confidence reposed in them by remaining committed to effective service delivery and institutional reforms.

She said: “Institutions, especially in the healthcare sector, must evolve to meet modern realities and international standards.

“In the healthcare sector, medical technology is advancing rapidly, research is becoming more sophisticated and public expectations continue to rise.

“Our teaching hospital must evolve to meet contemporary standards and deliver quality healthcare services to the people,” Benjamin-Kalu said.

By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully validated the National Roadmap for the Veterinary Services in Nigeria (2026–2036), setting a bold course to modernise animal health systems, strengthen food security, and enhance public health outcomes nationwide.

The three-day validation workshop, held in Abuja from April 28th – 30th, 2026, was convened by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development with support from development partners, including GALVmed and IKORE.

Declaring the workshop open, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stressed the urgency of strengthening veterinary systems in the face of emerging global health threats.

“This roadmap provides a clear, forward-looking vision to build a modern, resilient, and globally compliant veterinary system that supports livestock productivity, protects public health, and facilitates safe trade,” the Minister stated.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, highlighted persistent systemic challenges undermining service delivery at the sub-national level.

“Several systemic issues continue to limit effectiveness, including gaps in manpower distribution, weak surveillance systems, and underperforming veterinary laboratories due to inadequate infrastructure and resources,” she stated.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajumobi, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to implementation of the roadmap through strategic investments and institutional strengthening.

Welcoming participants earlier, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Anzaku, noted that the roadmap is a product of extensive consultation and offers practical strategies and measurable targets to transform the sector.

Development partners commended Nigeria’s leadership and ambition in repositioning the livestock sector. Speaking on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dr. Otto Vianney Muhinda reaffirmed international support.

He said, “FAO is pleased with the clear vision and ambition demonstrated by Nigeria in the livestock sector. We stand ready to support the Ministry in mobilizing global expertise and resources to achieve its transformative goals.”

On his part, the President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Moses Arokoyo, described the roadmap as a defining moment for the profession, adding that “to remain effective, we must invest urgently in infrastructure, funding, and speed of response. This roadmap has helped us identify these priorities clearly.”

Subnational leaders also pledged alignment with the national agenda. The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Plateau State, Dr. Sunday Akpa, noted, “The vision behind the creation of the Ministry is already inspiring action across states. Together, we are laying the foundation for a stronger livestock sector in the years ahead.”

Taking ownership of the document, the Dean of Directors of Veterinary Services, Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad Bello, stated: “We are the implementers of this roadmap, and we are fully committed to translating its vision into action across all states.”

The workshop also recorded the presence of the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Permanent Secretaries, Directors of the Ministry, heads of key institutions, Directors of Veterinary Services from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside other senior government officials, development partners, academia, and industry leaders.

Participants engaged in extensive technical sessions, including presentations on public-private partnerships, disease surveillance, animal identification and traceability, red meat value chain development, and emerging disease risks such as avian influenza.

At the conclusion of deliberations on Thursday, stakeholders adopted key resolutions aimed at revitalising veterinary services. These include strengthening institutional capacity, establishing sustainable funding mechanisms, enhancing disease surveillance and reporting systems, developing a coordinated national vaccination strategy, and expanding public-private partnerships across the livestock value chain.

The roadmap also prioritises digital transformation, workforce development, and the institutionalisation of the One Health approach to address the interconnected challenges of animal, human, and environmental health.

Members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational (NASU) and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have declared a nationwide strike to commence on Friday, May 1.

The university workers under the aegis of Joint Action Committee (JAC) explained that their decision became imperative following the federal government’s failure to conclude ongoing renegotiations and present a fresh offer on allowances.

The two affiliate unions of Nigeria Labour Congress, conveyed their decision in a letter dated April 30, 2026, signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.

“We write to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence and to equally appreciate the Minister of Education for withdrawing the contentious letter,” the union leaders said, referring to the earlier circular on a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.