ABIA GOVT TO WAGE WAR AGAINST MALARIA USING INSECTICIDE TREATED MOSQUITO NETS David Maduako –Umuahia

ABIA GOVT TO WAGE WAR AGAINST MALARIA USING INSECTICIDE TREATED MOSQUITO NETS

David Maduako –Umuahia

In a bid to fight Malaria scourge and kick it off the state, the
Abía State government say all is ready to commence the distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets in all the 17 LGAs of the state .

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, September 21, 2026, while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of the week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Prince Kanu said the mosquito nets have started arriving in the state, adding that Governor Otti would officially launch the distribution which is expected to commence in first week of October 2026.

He explained that consultations were ongoing with relevant stakeholders across the state to ensure an effective distribution of the treated nets.

The Commissioner also announced that the State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, would commence larvae source management activities before the end of September 2026 , with focus on Isuikwuato and Aba South Local Government Areas.

According to him, the intervention is based on available data indicating that the two Local Government Areas have significant mosquito larvae breeding points, hence the need to eliminate the larvae at source.

Prince Kanu further disclosed that the State Ministry of Health recently hosted the Optometrists and Opticians Regulatory Council of Nigeria on an accreditation visit, as well as the National Board for Technical Education on accreditation for the training programmes in optometry and nursing sciences, including nursing training at the FMC and Abiriba campuses of the College of Nursing Sciences in the state.

The Commissioner said that preparations have commenced for the fourth cohort of the Abia TechRise program following the successful implementation of the first three cohorts.

He maintained that the first three cohorts have produced a total of 2,210 graduates, out of which 88 outstanding graduates have secured automatic employment into the Abia State Civil Service. He said that the fourth cohort, shows the administration’s commitment to equipping youths with necessary digital skills and opportunities.

On agriculture, the Commissioner said the Local Government Agricultural Innovation Programme is progressing well across the 17 LGAs of the state , noting that participating local governments had recently received about 2,040 birds as part of the ongoing Poultry Initiative Programme.

He added that other agricultural value chains under the programme were being monitored for productivity and sustainability, while several local governments have commenced harvesting caballero peppers from their farms.

Prince Kanu also disclosed that the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre has continued to record progress in its response to gender-based violence and sexual assault cases .

He said the centre recorded seven GBV and SGBV cases during the period under review, comprising six cases of sexual violence and one case of domestic violence. The cases according to him involved five minors aged between 10 and 14 years and two adult women aged between 25 and 40 years.

He said that the reported cases involved alleged defilement, rape and domestic violence against a pregnant woman.

He added that the centre provided medical and other support services to victims including medical intervention and surgery for a 10-year-old survivor who sustained severe vaginal bleeding.

The Commissioner said the cases have been documented for appropriate protection, investigation, referal and legal processes, assuring that the state government remained committed to ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence were brought to justice.

The Commissioner also announced the commencement of the Abia State Solemn Assembly and Covenant Renewal Programme with a three-day fasting and praying exercise .

He said participants would observe the fast daily from 6:00a.m. to 3.00p.m., adding that the programme would climax with a solemn assembly and covenant renewal service scheduled for Thursday the 24th of September 2026.

Prince Kanu further announced that Abia State would host the 2026 edition of World Igbo Day on September 28 and 29, 2026. He said the event would provide a platform for Ndigbo to come together and reflect on their unity of purpose, shared identity and contributions to the development of Alaigbo.

According to him, the event which has its theme as “Njikọ Aka” has activities lined up that includes; a keynote lecture titled “Igbo Charter and the Development of Alaigbo,” the laying of wreaths in honour of fallen Igbo heroes and heroines, an interdenominational church service, a march-past by participating state delegations, traditional dances, as well as speeches by South-East Governors and notable Igbo leaders expected at the event.
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