Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, has emphasized that vaccinating animals against transboundary diseases is crucial for public health, and reducing the prevalence of diseases.
He made the remarks at the launch of the 2023 mass vaccination against transboundary animal diseases in the state.
Governor Fintiri represented by Chief of Staff, Government House Yola, Dr. Edgar Amos, maintained that the livestock sub-sector contributes meaningfully to the gross domestic product, hence his administration’s drive to prioritise the sector, to achieve multiple benefits in the industry.
He said the vaccine is necessary to stem the tide of diseases affecting animals, thereby enhancing public health and the prevalence of the disease, for a healthy society.
The governor called on the major stakeholders in the livestock industry to ensure the success of the vaccination exercise and stressed the need for sustaining peace throughout the harvest period in the state.
Commissioner of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Tijjani Maksha, said the vaccination campaign, is for the contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and the peste des petits ruminants.
He said the vaccine is necessary as they are classified as diseases of socioeconomic significance by the World Organisation of Animal Health that affect livestock dependant, people’s culture, economy, trade, and nutrition.
Chairman Girei local government area, Juda Amisa, and the district head of Girei Ahmed Ibrahim Mustafa commended Governor Fintiri for the support to Girei and the livestock sub-sector, describing the move as a way of ensuring sustained public health, as well as economic growth and development.
The highlight of the event, which took place at Girei International Cattle Market, was the administering of vaccine to animals by the Chief of Staff government house Yola, Dr. Edgar Amos.