Ughaerumba urges Nigeria to go back to structure of Confederation, says Nigeria has leadership issue
By: Ijeoma Sandra, Nnewi.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Anambra State Chapter, Dr. Victor Ughaerumba, has said that the major problem facing the country is a leadership issue.
He stated this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in his office at Otolo, Nnewi.
Ughaerumba explained that there was a structure behind Nigeria’s independence in 1960, which, according to him, was an adaptation of the Regional System of Government.
He noted that, for selfish reasons, the country’s leadership had chosen to ignore that structure, adding that it was the reason Nigeria remained where it was today.
“Until we decide to have the much-needed constitutional review and go back to the structure of confederation, which was agreed upon before we even became a republic, we will keep struggling.
“We should return to the confederation where the various regions, richly endowed with natural resources and human capacity, harness them at the regional level and then contribute to the centre for the protection of Nigeria as an entity,” he said.
Ughaerumba added that the country would continue to revolve around the same problems until the right steps were taken.
While referring to the United States, he said that until Nigerians practised regional government, strengthened their regions, and then came together at the centre to agree on how to protect their territories, the country would not function effectively.
He commended the Federal Government for establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a welcome development in the field of veterinary medicine.
As a civil servant in the Ministry of Agriculture, Anambra State Veterinary Services Department, Ughaerumba noted that veterinary medicine covers a wide range of areas with significant economic importance, including livestock production and public health.
He, however, lamented that little had been done to improve the system, expressing hope that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo would address the challenges.
“But in all honesty, there is still very little being done to improve veterinary services in Anambra State. I strongly believe that animal health is important,” he added.
As an association, he said they had carried out several advocacy programmes and anti-rabies campaigns to control the spread of viral diseases transmitted by animals.
He urged Governor Soludo to establish a Ministry of Animal Health and employ more veterinarians to enhance animal healthcare services.
Ughaerumba also appreciated the efforts of the Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra State, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, whom he described as supportive of their programmes.
“Animal health should be a top priority in any responsible government. We, the veterinarians, support Mr. Governor’s intention for a second term and hope that he will pay more attention to veterinary services,” he assured.
