The Kebbi state government has earmarked 10 million livestock for vaccination against zoonotic diseases, assuring livestock owners of the readiness of his administration to provide them with necessary tools to boost production.
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi state stated this at the inauguration of the Annual Animals Vaccination exercise at Hutawa, a Fulani settlement near Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, the governor said that cattle, sheep, and goats would be vaccinated against Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Pest des
Petit Ruminant (PPR), Diarrhea of (small ruminants), and Newcastle disease (NCD).
He mentioned that the exercise was meant to support pastoralists and other livestock breeders across the state. Similar exercises would be carried out in the remaining local government areas of the state.
“Kebbi State is second in terms of livestock business; as such, the present administration is ready to support farming and other agricultural activities in the state.”
Earlier, Dr. Ahmad Umar-Ambursa, Permanent Secretary of the Kebbi State Ministry of Animal Health Husbandry and Fisheries, said the program was being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services.
He mentioned that the federal government had provided vaccines for the program to 36 states of the federation. However, due to the high number of livestock in Kebbi State, the allocated vaccines would only cover 25 percent of the animals.
“The state has about 10 million livestock, including cattle, goats, and sheep. The State Ministry of Animal Health has developed
appropriate strategies to vaccinate animals of nomads without permanent settlements,” he said.
He urged pastoralists to embrace the program and cooperate with veterinary workers to ensure the health of their animals. This is important as human health is interconnected with animal health,
especially regarding the consumption of healthy meat.
The Community Leader of Hutawa, Anguwar Gagga, Dikko Aliyu Hakimin Gubuji, thanked the governor for prioritizing livestock development and improving animal health in the state. He pledged to educate his people and mobilize participation to facilitate the successful conduct of the exercise.