The Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Kogi chapter, has appealed to the state government for improved remuneration and welfare packages for veterinary doctors in the state.

The state chairman of NVMA, Dr Tolu Omotugba, made the call after a ‘road walk’ on Friday in Lokoja as part of activities to mark World Veterinary Day (WVD) 2024.

The WVD is celebrated every April 27, with this year’s theme as “Veterinarians Are Essential Health Workers”.

Speaking with journalists, Mr Omotugba stressed the importance of animal doctors as essential health workers and their worth in society.

According to him, the renumerations of veterinary doctors in the state do not commensurate with the level of sacrifices and positive health impact they are making in the society.

“Today is a day that is being celebrated globally to show ourselves as Vet Animal doctors; our value addition in the society.

“We are essential health workers in the sense that we are responsible for the health of animals as well as the public health.

“So, we are dealing with two health conditions; the animals and the human beings.

“We treat the animals when they are sick, and we go to abattoirs to prevent zoonotic disease conditions that are supposed to move from animals to humans.

“When you hear that there is a drop in zoonotic conditions among the human population, it is an indication that the animal doctors are working.

“So, today is a day to tell the world of what we do. Although people don’t usually place much value on vet in this part of the world,” he said.

He emphasised that the greatness and the moral progress of any nation would be largely determined on how its animals were treated.

“We expect that in the coming years under this new Administration in Kogi and in Nigeria, that vet will be given its proper place in the society and be supported immensely.

“We have met several state actors and several stakeholders, and we will keep saying it that the vet renumerations in Kogi State, has not been properly attended to,” he said.

He, however, appreciated Gov. Ahmed Ododo for having the interest of the civil servants at heart by always paying workers’ salaries promptly.

“But, we want to plead with the governor and draw his attention to the issues of non-implementation of the revised CONMESS in the state, we appeal to him to treat it as a matter of urgency.

“We need adequate renumeration and compensation with all the sacrifices we are making as vet doctors in the society,” Mr Omotugba said.

Speaking on the animal ranching initiative of the federal government, Dr Khalid Bashiru, the public relations officer of NVMA, called for the full adoption of ranching due to its immense benefits to society.

According to him, ranching will go along way to help mitigate the incessant crises and conflicts between farmers and herders.

He added that ranching would boost livestock productivity and the economic situation in the livestock subsector in the state.

(NAN)