In a bid to boost the livestock sector, the Honorable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, has recently shared the government’s intentions, strategies, and initiatives aimed at improving animal health during the 59th Congress and Annual General Meeting of the National Veterinary Medical Association of Nigeria (NVMA) in Lagos State.
The event, themed “The Changing Spectrum of the Global Economy and the Need for Professions to Align with Global Realities,” highlighted the challenges faced by Nigeria and the world at large.
The Minister in his address emphasized the need for interventions in the livestock sub-sector and stressed the importance of addressing challenges affecting food and nutrition security nationwide.
In his words, “the government is committed to developing comprehensive animal health policies and strategic plans to control prevalent diseases.
“Some of the initiatives we shall embark on include; The control of major transboundary animal diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF), as well as Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases, National Strategy for Aquatic Animal Disease prevention and control, National Strategic plan for the elimination of dog-mediated human Rabies, amongst others.”
Sen. Abdullahi also emphasized the vital role of veterinary professionals in managing disease outbreaks, stating that it is part of their contribution to national development objectives. He encouraged them to work together to elevate the veterinary profession to new heights.
