The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience (Kogi L-PRES) Project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development, has launched mass vaccination against Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs).

The state Commissioner for Livestock Development, Olufemi Bolarin, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja on Wednesday.

The meeting brought together farmers, veterinarians, animal scientists, traditional rulers and security agencies to discuss strategies for the vaccination drive.

Mr Bolarin said, “The exercise is a collective effort to combat diseases such as contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), goot and mouth disease (FMD) and newcastle disease.

“The mass vaccination will begin on February 18 to safeguard animal health, strengthen livestock productivity and enhance food security in Kogi.”

The commissioner urged farmers, cattle breeders and pastoralists to support the vaccination drive being administered freely to the livestock in the state.

“We have done it before, and we can do it again,” he said, referencing Kogi’s previous success in animal vaccination.

He emphasised that the vaccines were free and assured that the government would ensure security for vaccinators.

He urged the locals to provide security for vaccination teams, saying, “We need your cooperation and support.”

He acknowledged potential challenges, including security risks and difficult terrain, but emphasised the importance of the exercise for humanity, Nigeria and Kogi State. 

The state’s Project Coordinator, Abdulkabir Otaru, said the project is working across Nigeria to address TADs, with Kogi State being a key focus area.

Mr Otaru noted that the exercise sought to reduce disease burden, improve livestock productivity and enhance socio-economic wellbeing.

He said, “We believe that by addressing this issue, we can enhance livestock productivity, commercialisation and the standard of living of farmers.”

He emphasised the importance of collective action, strong coordination and sustained stakeholder collaboration in controlling TADs.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Abdulsalam Hadi, commended the federal government for donating the vaccines and urged stakeholders to support the initiative.

Shaibu Egwu, the Director of Veterinary Services, Kogi State Ministry of Livestock Development, Shaibu Egwu  presented an overview of the TADs.

According to him, the vaccines include 200,000 doses of CBPP vaccines, 3,000 doses of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines (FMDV) for cattle, and 30,000 doses of Newcastle Disease vaccines (NCDV) for poultry.

He said the vaccines would be administered to livestock clusters across the state between February 18 and March 13.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Kogi State chapter, Tolu Omotugba, highlighted the effects of TADs, including reduced animal production, increased mortality, trade restrictions and economic losses.

Mr Omotugba emphasised that “the mass vaccination is a big intervention that will help to reduce insecurity in the state.”

A representative of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Felix Eneche, stressed the need for good welfare packages for workers carrying out the vaccination, citing the risks they face.

He urged livestock marketers and producers to cooperate with animal scientists and doctors.

The state Commander of Agro-Rangers, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Emmanuel Bayode, urged herders and farmers to provide credible information to security agents to ensure their safety and successful vaccination.

The Maigari of Lokoja, Ibrahim Gambo Kabir, represented by Musa Bala, commended the state government and stakeholders for the initiative, promising full support for the exercise.

The Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Association, Suleiman Abubakar, and the Chairman of the Livestock Farmers Clusters, Lokoja, Musa Ibrahim, commended the government and the stakeholders, assuring of adequate protection for vaccinators. 

(NAN)