The Kwara State Government has announced plans to vaccinate over 330,000 cattle, sheep, and goats as part of a state-wide mass anthrax vaccination campaign aimed at preventing the spread of the disease among livestock.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, during a training workshop organized by the Kwara State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in collaboration with the State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The event, held in Ilorin, was attended by 50 veterinary personnel who were trained on vaccination procedures.
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Funke Sokoya, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of the campaign in safeguarding both animal and human health against zoonotic diseases like anthrax.
“Our goal is to ensure the total eradication of anthrax in Kwara State.
“This training is essential to equip veterinary personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out the exercise effectively.
“We appreciate Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering support and prompt payment of counterpart funds for L-PRES and other agricultural projects,” she stated.
The Commissioner noted that over 330,000 doses of anthrax vaccines had been provided by L-PRES through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure the success of the campaign. She urged the vaccinators to prioritize safety and professionalism during the exercise.
Highlighting the significance of the campaign, the Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry, Dr. Abdullateef Olugbon, described anthrax as a severe threat to both livestock and public health.
He called on vaccinators to ensure proper disposal of materials used during the exercise to avoid environmental contamination.
Dr. Olugbon stated : “This mass vaccination is a critical step towards achieving zero anthrax cases in Kwara State.”
The State Project Coordinator for L-PRES, Mr. Olusoji Oyawoye, represented by the Project’s Animal Health Officer, Dr. Bukola Richards, explained that the campaign aligns with the project’s goal of improving livestock productivity and resilience. He added that the vaccination drive would cover all 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Dr. Timothy Gana, a private veterinary surgeon and former chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) in Kwara State, expressed gratitude to the government and L-PRES for organizing the training. He described it as a vital refresher for the vaccinators ahead of the exercise.
The training featured presentations by Dr. Bukola Arinola Richards and Dr. Muftaudeen Oyewo, who provided insights into effective vaccination procedures and safety measures.
The campaign aims to strengthen livestock health across Kwara State, boosting agricultural productivity and mitigating the risks of anthrax outbreaks.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
