How we plan to assist govt end herdsmen/farmers feud —New NVMA President

The new National President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr Godwin Abonyi have lined out processes the association will take to assist government end the lingering crisis between herdsmen and farmers in some parts of the country.

Speaking after his inauguration, Dr Abonyi said the veterinarians have established a very strong relationship with the herdsmen over the years and with that, it can proffer solutions to the government to work out modalities to curb the herdsmen frequent clash with farmers which has claimed a lot of lives.

According to him, “we will strive to turn the present economic situation in the overall economy into a visible growth in the livestock subsector of our economy, as we hope to find an immediate and sustainable solution to the lingering crisis of herdsmen and farmers in all parts of the country.

“The minister of agriculture has e xpressed his determination to find a permanent solution to the crisis and am assuring him and all the stakeholders in the industry that they will find credible partner in the Veterinary profession through the NVMA.

“We have always been traditional alliance of livestock farmers, so we have been with them in the thick and thin during the years of disease outbreak that threatened the eradication of the livestock industry.

“We stayed with them in the bush vaccinating and treating these animals, till these diseases are virtually eradicated from Nigeria, so they have trust in us.

“So, if we have organized Veterinary service, they will be able to monitor movement and presence of cattle everywhere and protect them.

“Also by indoctrination and teaching, we will let people know that just the way herdsmen value their cattle, crop farmers also value their crops, there should be mutual respect for both.”

On disease control, Dr Abonyi said “90 per cent of rabies in human is caused by bite from infected animals, through collaboration with the government, we will be able to vaccinate all animals and enforce the law that restricts individuals to keep pets that are not vaccinated, so with this,  we will be able to check the spreads to human beings.

“Every other diseases that can come from animals, by improvement of Veterinary services, we will be able to put a check within the animal domain and it will not spread to human beings”.