Sokoto: FG Flags Off Mass Animal Vaccination

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is stepping up efforts to eradicate transboundary animal diseases and promote efficient, resilient, and sustainable livestock production across Nigeria.

This follows the flag-off of the nationwide mass animal vaccination exercise under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project in Sokoto State, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s animal health system.

Although only 20 states have subscribed to the World Bank–supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, the mass animal vaccination exercise will be implemented across all 36 states of the federation and the FCT. This is because animal health remains critical to the growth and development of the livestock industry, as well as to the overall wellbeing of the population.

A total of 18.2 million doses of vaccines have been earmarked for the exercise, targeting Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Peste des Petits Ruminants, and Newcastle Disease.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, alongside the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, also inaugurated the third in a series of 21 state-of-the-art L-PRES Model Veterinary Hospitals in Sokoto. The facility is expected to serve as a hub for improved animal health service delivery in the state.

The hospital is additionally equipped with ambulatory services to cater for animal health emergencies, particularly in hard-to-reach and underserved communities.