By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, has approved with immediate the appointments of Donald Akule as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Benue State Agricultural Development Company, ADC.
The Governor also approved the appointment of Aondoakaa Asambe, as Principal Special Assistant, PSA, to the governor on Livestock Development and Animal Transboundary Disease Control with Abraham Agogo also appointed as Senior Special Assistant, SSA on Community Mobilization.
According to a press statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Friday, in Makurdi, Akule would bring his over 15 years of hands-on experience in agricultural systems, community development, research & development, and food processing to bear on his new assignment.
Akule, according to the statement who holds a B.Sc. degree in Food Science and Technology from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, is a graduate of Lagos Business School and a Certified Fellow in Agricultural Systems Development under USAID.
The statement added that Akule is globally recognized for his expertise in Value Chain Development and Sustainable Agricultural Systems, also served as the Global Organizing Secretary of the Natural Farming Teachers Coalition, NFTC, and National Publicity Secretary for Connecting Stakeholders in Agricultural Mechanization, CONESAM.
The statement said Asambe, who holds a Degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, is also a holder of a post graduate Degree in Food Animal Medicine at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and also a member of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association and a registered veterinary surgeon with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria.
He has also been a lecturer at Federal University, Dutsima for the past 12 years.
Governor Alia in the statement expressed optimism that that Akule and Asambe would bring their wealth of experiences to bear on their new roles, especially to fast-track the total resuscitation of the moribund ADC and thorough innovations in animal husbandry.
Governor Alia while emphasizing the importance of upholding the ideals of the administration, called on the new appointees to prioritize the interests of Benue State in all their official engagements as encapsulated in the administration’s vision and mission.