Chidimma Uchegbu -Abuja
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has recieved the ‘Ministry of the Year’ award conferred on the Ministry by the Daily Asset Newspapers.
Tye award was presented to the minister at a reception held on Friday, 6th February 2026, in Abuja.
The award was presented symbolically at the 9th Annual Daily Asset Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 5th February 2026, while the Minister was on official assignment in New Zealand, and was received on his behalf by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Anzaku.
Presenting the award, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Asset Newspapers, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, said the Minister was selected based on his visionary leadership, policy clarity, and measurable impact in repositioning the livestock sector as a tool for peacebuilding, food security, and economic diversification.
This was contained in the statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu.
He noted that Daily Asset’s reporting and assessment revealed a consistent focus on solutions that unite the country, promote productivity, and address the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts.
In his response, the Minister expressed profound appreciation to Daily Asset Newspapers, describing the recognition as humbling and deeply emotional. He stressed that the award belongs to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a whole, and dedicated it to all staff of the Ministry, whom he described as critical partners in delivering results despite operational and funding challenges.
Describing the award as a “jet propulsion engine,” Mukhtar said it would further energise the Ministry to raise its performance bar, defy limitations, and deliver tangible outcomes in 2026 and beyond. He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the livestock sector into a major contributor to GDP, rural employment, national food security, and peace.
The Minister stressed the need to move beyond rhetoric to implementation, noting that the Ministry is focused on sedentarisation, mechanisation, dairy development, youth engagement, and the adoption of technology across the livestock value chain. He reaffirmed that Nigeria has the resources and capacity to achieve far greater productivity and competitiveness in livestock production.
Mukhtar also thanked the media, partners, and stakeholders for their continued support and reaffirmed the Ministry’s determination to justify the confidence reposed in it through sustained performance and impactful reforms.
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