By Evbo-Imade Osarumwense
The Governor Godwin Obaseki administration’s commitment towards ensuring the revitalization of the livestock sub-sector through responsible husbandry activities that guarantee public health, food safety and food security for Edo citizens has been re-emphasized.
The emphasis was made by the Acting Governor of Edo State Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shuaibu, on the occasion of the “Flag-off of Mass Vaccination Campaign Program Against Trans-boundary Animal Diseases for the South South Zone in Edo.”
The Acting Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Stephen Idehenre, said the occasion demonstrates the government’s commitment towards boosting animal health and production as well as preventing setbacks in livestock management by controlling Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (TAD) like foot and mouth disease, Newcastle disease amongst others.
Shaibu who noted that the livestock sector was one of the mainstays of livelihoods and economic emancipation of Edo, hence Government’s commitment to the sector, added that Governor Obaseki is passionate about agriculture.
According to the Acting Governor, Edo State Government has keyed onto the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support project of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which are aimed at improving livestock production and curbing farmers/herders clashes, adding that the Igarra-Ewan Cattle Ranch is on the verge of being resuscitation.
He commended the efforts of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in controlling animal diseases across the nation and enjoined all States in the South-South region of the country to join hands in controlling animal diseases as only collective efforts can yield the desired results.
He used the opportunity to thank the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for building and equipping a Primary Animal Health Center in Benin City, adding that the centre would require the provision of ambulatory Hilux van, air conditioners and water borehole to operate efficiently.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Earnest Umakhihe, explained that “livestock is a major means of livelihood in Nigeria which employs about 70 percent of our population and provides economic and food security, nutrition and provides the much needed protein for growth and mental development of children, spendable income and cash reserves.”
The Minister added that the full potential of livestock cannot be guaranteed unless they are in a state of good health which can only be achieved through vaccination against animal diseases.
He assured that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would continue to support and collaborate with States in carrying out annual vaccination of animals against Trans-boundary diseases that can adversely affect livestock production and to achieve the much-desired herd immunity.
The Agric minister expressed hope that Edo State would sustain the vaccination campaign.
There were goodwill messages from the various farmer associations.
Highpoint of the occasion was the symbolic flag-off of the vaccination exercise by the Acting Governor’s representative and Dr. Ernest Umakhihe representing the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who also commissioned the Animal Health Centre in Benin City.
