The federal ministry of livestock development has inaugurated the vaccination of 2,500 livestock against Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in Yobe.

Mitchell Alao, the ministry’s director of animal health and reproductive services, inaugurated the vaccination campaign in Damaturu on Thursday.

The programme was facilitated by Messrs Astute Synergy Limited.

Mr Alao said CBPP remained one of the most economically damaging transboundary animal diseases affecting Nigeria’s cattle population.

“For years, the disease has posed a persistent threat to sustainable livestock development and market opportunities for pastoralists and cattle farmers.

“Its impact, marked by reduced productivity, high mortality, and severe economic losses, directly undermines rural livelihoods, national food systems, and the economic prosperity that the Renewed Hope Agenda initiative seeks to deliver,” he said.

The director said that the campaign was strategic, as it aligned with the mandate of the ministry to strengthen national animal health systems, expand disease surveillance, enhance preventive veterinary services and promote a modern, resilient, and economically viable livestock sector.

“Through this intervention, we are setting the foundation for improved cattle health, increased productivity, and reduced disease burden across our communities,” Mr Alao said.

He commended the state veterinary services, livestock associations, development partners, field veterinarians and technical teams for their unwavering support.

Mr Alao, however, called on field veterinarians to strictly adhere to vaccination protocols, accurate documentation, timely reporting and sustained engagement with livestock-keeping communities.

In his remarks, Idris Madaki, permanent secretary of the Yobe Ministry for Livestock Development, thanked the federal government for the vaccines, which he said would enhance animal production in the state.

Represented by Bulama Yaro, manager of the State Pilot Livestock Development Programme, Madaki, however, appealed for more vaccines, saying that there were no fewer than 10 million head of cattle in the state.

Mohammed Ngordi, chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Damaturu Local Government Chapter, also thanked both ministries for their various support to cattle breeders in the state.

(NAN)