The Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, made this announcement during a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting held in Lokoja on the mass vaccination campaign against anthrax in Kogi State.
The vaccination exercise is supported by the Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES).
In his speech, the Commissioner stated that Alhaji Ahmed Osman Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State, has created an enabling environment to promote livestock health in the state, adding that the vaccination exercise will commence next Monday. He said, “I would like to announce that the Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMA & FS), had initially donated 40,000 doses of Anthrax Spore Vaccines.”
He further noted: “The National Coordination Office of Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES), in collaboration with the FMA & FS, donated an additional 500,000 doses of Anthrax Spore Vaccine to Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture. I want to also appreciate the effort and support from Kogi L-PRES towards ensuring the successful commencement of the mass vaccination campaign against anthrax.”
Ojomah emphasised the importance of the vaccination exercise: “Today, we are here to sensitise the stakeholders on the need and importance of the mass vaccination exercise against anthrax in Kogi State. Anthrax is a rare and serious disease caused by Gramme-positive rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in the soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. Humans can fall sick with anthrax if they come in contact with affected animals or contaminated products, which can cause severe illness and death in both humans and animals.”
He explained that the vaccination against anthrax will cover all three senatorial districts in Kogi State, targeting susceptible animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. He urged farmers and livestock owners to ensure their animals are vaccinated to protect them from this dangerous disease.
Earlier, the Kogi State Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, highlighted the significance of livestock in the socio-economic lives of individuals and families, particularly in rural areas and developing countries. He stated, “Thirty per cent of the poor make a living for themselves through livestock, and it is the most available and affordable protein for many individuals and families.”
Bolarin further remarked, “The donation of these vaccines by L-PRES is therefore not merely a gesture of goodwill; it is a tangible demonstration of our belief in the health of our livestock, which is not just a personal concern for farmers but a shared responsibility for all stakeholders. It is a matter of ensuring food security, promoting economic growth, and protecting public health.”
He concluded with a call to action: “By working together, we can create a healthier future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us embrace this opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable livestock sector. Let us commit to investing in our communities, supporting our farmers, and protecting our livestock and ourselves from zoonotic diseases and epidemics.”
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