News
Federal Ministry Begins Tsetse Fly Monitoring and Pest Control Drive in Abia, South-East, South-South
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has commenced a fresh round of tsetse fly surveillance and pest control operations in Abia State as part of efforts to curb trans-boundary pests and improve livestock production across the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.
The exercise, which began on June 29, is part of the ministry’s nationwide surveillance and control programme covering the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the FMLD team to the Abia State Ministry of Agriculture in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbeze, said the state government was collaborating with the Federal Ministry to combat tsetse flies and other pests affecting livestock production.
Agbeze, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Adamma Aguwa, said the partnership underscored the commitment of both the federal and state governments to reducing the impact of pests on livestock and agricultural productivity.
He said the initiative would help improve crop and livestock yields while strengthening food security in the state and across the country.
The commissioner assured the team of the ministry’s support, adding that officials had been assigned to guide them to locations where the surveillance and pest control activities would be carried out.
Earlier, the Team Lead of the FMLD Tsetse Fly Surveillance and Control Project, Mr Gilbert Okoro, said the team was in Abia to conduct surveillance and control operations aimed at curbing the spread of trans-boundary pests, particularly the tsetse fly.
Okoro explained that the insect transmits trypanosomiasis, a disease that affects cattle and can also cause sleeping sickness in humans.
According to him, the disease reduces milk and meat production, weakens livestock and poses significant public health and economic challenges.
He said the project aligns with the World Health Organisation’s One Health Initiative, which promotes integrated approaches to improving human, animal and environmental health.
Okoro said the nationwide project had already been implemented in the North-East geopolitical zone, adding that Abia was selected to represent the South-East, while Akwa Ibom would serve as the project location for the South-South zone.
He added that the surveillance exercise in Abia would cover the state’s three senatorial districts, including Aba in Abia South, Umuahia in Abia Central and Lokpanta in Abia North.
Following the meeting, the FMLD team visited the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Umudike, to finalise arrangements for the commencement of surveillance and pest control activities in Umudike and other parts of the state.
Officials present during the visit included the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Vitus Nwokoh; the Director of Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Victor Obasi; the Director of Epidemiology, Dr Onu Nwokedi; and the Head of Media and Information, Mrs Oluchi Franklin.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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