In furtherance of the federal government commitment to curtail the spread of trans boundary diseases in Nigeria, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has supported states in the South South Geo-Political zone with over 1.8 million free vaccines.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar revealed this during the flag off ceremony of 2022 Nationwide Free Mass Vaccination Campaign against Transboundary Animal Diseases in Benin, Edo State, recently.
According to a statement signed by the Ministry’s Assistant Chief Information Officer, Eremah Anthonia, recently, Minister said that the transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Newcastle Disease (ND) are affecting the livestock population and to achieve the much-desired herd immunity for prevention, control and possibly eradication, they ought to be adequately vaccinated.
The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture ad Rural Development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe stated that Livestock production was a major means of livelihood in Nigeria which employs about 70% of our population, food nutrition and security as well as means of livelihood for majority of our rural dwellers.
In his words ” over the years, the policy of CBPP, FMD, PPR and ND control in Nigeria has been routine annual vaccination; However, the vaccination coverage has been limited by inadequate resources. But going forward, we intend to scale up vaccination coverage as more resources become available’’.
In his welcome address, the Acting Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Edo State, Hon. Stephen Idenhere commended the effort of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in controlling animal diseases across the nation.
In his good will message, the Permanent Secretary of Cross River State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Jacobs Udida commended the federal government’s initiative towards the Free Mass Vaccination Campaign against Transboundary Animal Diseases and for providing Primary Health Center which would go a long way to improve animal health.
