Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, has been honoured as Minister of the year by Daily Asset Newspaper.
The award according to Cletus Akwaya, Publisher, Daily Asset Newspaper, is in recognition of Maiha’s leadership, sector reforms and contributions to national development.
The award was presented at a ceremony in Abuja, attended by senior government officials, industry stakeholders, development partners and media executives.
Akwaya said the honour followed a rigorous editorial process, stressing that the selection was independent, evidence-based and free of political or financial influence.
Akwaya explained that the newspaper instituted the annual award nine years ago to recognise individuals whose work has made significant impact in public service and private enterprise.
He said the minister was selected for his strategic repositioning of the livestock sector, peace building efforts in conflict prone communities and advocacy for the sector’s inclusion in national economic planning.
According to him, the Ministry’s interventions have contributed to a noticeable decline in farmers herders conflicts across several states, while investments in livestock development have expanded productivity, job creation and rural livelihoods.
He added that projections showed the livestock sector could become a major contributor to national gross domestic product within a short period if current reforms were sustained.
Responding, Mukhtar Maiha thanked Daily Asset Newspaper for the recognition, describing the award as a morale booster for the ministry and its workforce.
Maiha dedicated the honour to staff of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, noting that the achievements recorded so far were the result of collective effort, commitment and clarity of purpose.
He said the Ministry is determined to transforming the livestock sector into a major driver of economic growth, food security, rural development and national stability.
