Africa CDC Appoints Former Vice-President Osinbajo As Senior Strategic Adviser

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appointed former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as senior strategic adviser to director-general Jean Kaseya, reinforcing leadership capacity for continental health priorities.

The announcement was made by Margaret Edwin, director of communication and public information at Africa CDC, in a statement issued on Monday.

MsEdwin explained that the appointment aligned with the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda aimed at strengthening Africa’s voice in global health, boosting domestic financing, and expanding local production of health commodities.

She said Mr Osinbajo would advise on Africa’s positioning in global health architecture reforms, sustainable health financing, local manufacturing, and building strategic partnerships to advance continental health resilience and cooperation goals.

She said that the former vice-president brought exceptional experience across governance, finance, law, and diplomacy, adding that his leadership would be critical as Africa seeks greater authority in shaping its health future.

“This appointment reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to mobilising African leadership of the highest calibre in service of the continent’s health security, sovereignty, and development,” she said.

She added that his experience in public policy and governance would support efforts to build resilient health systems across African Union member states, particularly in pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response initiatives.

Osinbajo

Mr Osinbajo, a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, served as Nigeria’s vice-president from 2015 to 2023, contributing to policy and governance reforms during his tenure.

He also served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, where he played significant roles in legal administration and institutional reforms within the state government structure.

During his time in government, he chaired Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Committee, led ease-of-doing-business reforms, and advanced social investment programmes while coordinating key economic policies across multiple sectors nationwide and driving inclusive economic growth.

Resident Doctors Ready For Nationwide Strike April 7

Doctors ready for nationwide strike. The planned action will commence at 12 a.m. Tuesday, and will involve members from federal, state, and private institutions.

According to the association, the decision follows the Federal Government’s review of the Professional Allowance Table policy framework and constructive dialogue.

Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD secretary general, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the decision to begin a strike followed extensive consultations among members nationwide, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and collaboration.

He explained the resolution was reached during an extraordinary national executive council meeting held virtually, where participants encouraged continued engagement with the government to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for doctors and patients.

According to the association, the planned action will commence at 12 a.m. Tuesday and will involve members across federal, state, and private institutions, while maintaining openness to dialogue and ongoing, timely resolution efforts.

The association emphasised the importance of reinstating the Professional Allowance Table, describing it as vital to enhancing welfare, boosting morale, and supporting the retention of skilled medical professionals nationwide.

It highlighted the need for prompt payment of promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors and expressed optimism that ongoing discussions would facilitate resolutions benefiting practitioners and the healthcare system.

NARD further encouraged the timely release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, noting that improved funding would enhance training opportunities, professional development, and overall capacity in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

The association reiterated the importance of settling outstanding allowance arrears, expressing confidence that collaborative efforts among stakeholders would ease financial pressures and reinforce commitment among resident doctors serving communities nationwide.

Members were encouraged to remain united and focused, as leadership underscored that ongoing engagement was aimed at securing fairness, strengthening working conditions, and promoting a more resilient and responsive healthcare system nationwide.

The association affirmed its commitment to sustained dialogue with authorities, expressed optimism that efforts would yield positive outcomes, and reinforced its role in advancing the welfare and professional interests of members.

Resident Doctors

The Professional Allowance Table is designed to standardise doctors’ remuneration, ensuring consistent payments and supporting improved administration across the national healthcare system.

Observers note that ongoing discussions between NARD and the Federal Government continue to provide opportunities to resolve welfare concerns, strengthen cooperation, and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services nationwide.

Governor Otti Pledges Full Functionality For 948 Primary Healthcare Centres

Governor Otti pledges full functionality for 948 primary healthcare centres. Mr Otti said the state government had approved the recruitment of 771 healthcare professionals.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia has said that his administration remains committed to fully functionalising all 948 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state, with emphasis on quality standards and sustainability.

Mr Otti made the pledge on Friday night during a monthly media chat with newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia.

He said that although 200 PHCs had been completed, they would not be inaugurated until they had been properly equipped and adequately staffed.

He explained that the focus was not only on infrastructure, “but on delivering functional health services to residents”.

The governor said: “In the area of healthcare, we continue to functionalise the primary healthcare centres.

“The 200 of them that we have completed, we are taking our time to ensure that minimum standards are met.

“So, what we do is that the primary healthcare center is ready. It does not mean it will be inaugurated.

“It will only be inaugurated when we have the required equipment and healthcare professionals.”

Mr Otti said the state government had approved the recruitment of 771 healthcare professionals but pointed out that only 569 could be engaged due to manpower constraints.

“That has meant that we are not able to meet the needs of all the primary healthcare centres that we have completed,” he said.

He disclosed that he had directed that the recruitment portal remain open to attract more qualified personnel.

“We have asked those interested to continue to apply until we get to the required number,” he said.

The governor said that he had approved the commencement of Phase II of the PHC upgrade, tagged “Project Ekwueme”, which would cover another 200 centres.

“We have promised that we will not stop until the 948 primary healthcare centers have been touched,” he said.

Mr Otti said that 77 PHCs had already been retrofitted with support from the World Bank, adding that efforts were also ongoing to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities.

On service delivery, he said the state had begun to digitalise operations in PHCs and introduce telemedicine to enhance access to care.

“A doctor can sit in Umuahia and look at your case, prescribe medication and provide solutions without necessarily sitting across the table with you,” he said.

Mr Otti said that the overall goal was to ensure that every community in the state had access to a modern and fully functional primary healthcare centre.

He said that the state was recording significant progress at the tertiary healthcare level, with several health facilities undergoing extensive upgrades.

According to him, about six general hospitals are being retrofitted, alongside the construction of a new general hospital in Ukwa East, expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Mr Otti also said that major works were ongoing at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba; Abia State Specialist Hospital, Amachara; and the General Hospital, Umunneato.

“The work going on in these hospitals is very extensive. We are taking it in our stride, and I can assure you it is progressing very well,” he said.

He further said that the state government had received its first Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine (MRI), donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Abia never had an MRI machine before now, and we are grateful to the Church for donating a state-of-the-art MRI, valued at about one million dollars,” he said.

“We are setting up a diagnostic centre at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, where the MRI and other equipment, like X-rays, will be installed,” he said.

On education and power, Mr Otti said that electricity had been restored to Abia State University, Uturu, after more than a decade of outage.

“We inaugurated and switched on a 5MW substation, and now anytime there is power, the university will have electricity,” he said.

He said that the state had also approved a 15MW independent power project to further strengthen electricity supply.

“By the time it is completed, the university may decide to detach from the national grid,” Mr Otti said.

He also said that efforts were ongoing to extend electricity to more communities, particularly in Ukwa East, through Aba Power Limited.

In the culture and tourism sector, he said that the state had partnered with the federal government to rehabilitate the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum, both in Umuahia.

He described the initiative as a major step in preserving the nation’s history and boosting tourism in Abia.

He said the state’s development agencies – Greater Aba Development Agency, Greater Ohafia Development Agency, and Umuahia Capital Development Agency – were performing well in transforming the state.

On hospitality, Mr Otti said that the reconstruction of the Enyimba Hotel, in partnership with Radisson Blu, was progressing steadily.

“We expect that within 12 months, the first phase of about 120 rooms will be ready for public use,” he said.

He also said that discussions were ongoing with another five-star hotel brand to convert the Government House at Ogurube Layout into a hospitality facility.

Mr Otti confirmed that the Government House would remain at its present location on Akan Ibiam/Library Avenue, Umuahia, adding that it was an ideal location.

“The Government House is not moving from here. So, since it’s not moving, we decided to hand over the other building to a five-star hotel brand.”

The governor said that work was nearing completion at the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, with plans to commence pilot operations soon.

“The entire place is being cleaned up now. And by the time it’s done, we will start pilot activities and eventually inaugurate it,” he said.

On aviation, he said that the construction of the Abia International Airport runway was progressing smoothly.

Governor Otti

“This is a partnership with the Federal Government. While we are building the runway, the Federal Government is responsible for the terminal,” he said.

Mr Otti also said that the Nigerian Air Force had been allocated 200 hectares of land for the construction of a training school and base within the airport.

In agriculture, he said that Presco Plc had committed 200 million dollars to oil palm cultivation and processing across 40,000 hectares in the state.

He said that Abia was selected for the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone programme supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

“The land has been identified, and the project will commence soon,” the governor said.

He further said that work was progressing on the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park (AIIP), describing it as a long-term project involving multiple sectors.

He said that all the partners that indicated interest in AIIP and in partnering with the State Government on the project were still very serious.

“Some of them have gotten to the level of final investment decisions, and we are very enthusiastic about having the AIIP properly kick off.

“But don’t forget that it’s a long-term project, involving modular refinery, renewable energy, gas projects, fertilizer projects, chemicals, and so on.

“So, it’s an integrated innovation and industrial park,” Mr Otti said.

On infrastructure, he reiterated the commitment of the state government to continue implementing its rebuilding agenda.

He said that over 50 infrastructural projects were ongoing across the state, while discussions were in top gear to kick-start the Abia State Integrated Development Programme (ABSID).

“Just two days ago, we had a meeting with the AfDB, Federal Ministry of Finance, and IsDB for ABSID.

“A few of the knotty areas, we tried to untie them with the last meeting we had and, hopefully, I have given a deadline of April for us to kick-start that multimillion-dollar project.

“The projects involve a lot of roads and other infrastructural projects,” Mr Otti said.

The governor further referenced the recent inauguration of a privately owned 35 million dollar beverage plant in Aba, adding that additional investment phases by the organisers were already underway.

He expressed the resolve of the state government to support ventures that boost job creation and GDP growth, as well as significantly reduce poverty in society.