Health Recruitment: 1,604 Apply for Vacant Positions as Portal Remains Open Until August 9 — Commissioner
By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu
The Abia State Government has announced that 1,604 applications have so far been received in the ongoing recruitment drive for the state’s health workforce.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known on Monday in Umuahia, the state capital, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Recall that the government had advertised 771 vacancies in the Ministry of Health to bolster the state’s healthcare delivery system.
Kanu noted that the online application portal will remain open until August 9, 2025, and encouraged qualified medical professionals to seize the opportunity.
“We wish to use this medium to encourage more qualified medical personnel to apply for the available positions, which include nursing officers, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, dental technologists, radiographers, optometrists, pharmacists, and medical/dental officers,” he stated.
The Commissioner further revealed that the functionalization of renovated Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under the Project Ekwueme Programme is ongoing across the state.
According to him, 17 fully equipped PHCs are now operational, delivering healthcare services to citizens and residents of Abia.
He emphasized that communities hosting the PHCs are urged to take ownership of the facilities to protect them from vandalism and theft, especially by criminal elements who target government property.
On public health matters, Kanu confirmed that there have been no reported cases of diseases of public health concern in the state in recent times.
“This is quite encouraging and speaks to the increasing levels of hygiene and health awareness among Abians and residents,” he said.
Kanu also disclosed that the State Government, through the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, in collaboration with Ethnocentric Ltd., has onboarded 1,200 youths for the second phase of the Facial Futures Skills Acquisition Programme in garment and leather production.
He explained that the program, designed to empower Abia youths with practical skills, has attracted over $3 million in sponsorship from the Mastercard Foundation.
“This significant injection of funding into the Abia economy is a result of the high governance standards under Governor Otti and the positive image the state now enjoys nationally and globally,” Kanu added.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, has launched the Abia State Creative Talent Hunt, an initiative aimed at discovering and empowering young talents in music and other creative fields.
Preparations are also in top gear for this year’s Youth Day Celebration, scheduled for August 6–12, 2025. The theme is “Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future”, with activities lined up, including a Youth Assembly, Symposium, and Interstate Youth Exchange Programmes.
In a related development, the Commissioner revealed that the state has procured a wheelchair-accessible bus to support the transportation of disabled athletes during the upcoming International Sports Championships, scheduled to hold from September 3 to October 12, 2025.
“This specialized bus is among the first of its kind in the region,” he noted.
Kanu also announced that three Falconets, who were part of Nigeria’s historic victory over Morocco in the CAF Women’s Nations Cup, will be officially hosted by the state government later in the year.
“Although they returned to their clubs in Europe immediately after the tournament, Governor Otti is planning to host them in December 2025 to honour their achievements and appreciate their contributions,” Kanu said.
Also present at the briefing were: Hon. Matthew Ekwuruibe, Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Nwaobilor Ananaba, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, and Sir Chris Onwuegbu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information