The Sokoto State Commissioner of Animals Health and Fisheries Development, Professor Abdulkadir Junaidu, has flagged off a six day free Anti-Rabies Vaccination campaign.
The Commissioner also called on the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the establishment of Transborder zoonotic laboratory in Sokoto.
According to him, the campaign was organised by his Ministry in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the world Organisation for Animals Health in an effort to meet global campaign of eliminating rabies by 2030.
He explained that Veterinary Clinic in Sokoto record about 2000 cases monthly, a feat unmatched by any clinic in Nigeria.
He attributed the success to the hardworking Doctors of the clinic, but urged them to do more for sustainable health in the state.
Professor Junaidu commended Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his support to the free vaccination campaign and livestock transformation in the state.
He however applauded the support of the District Head of Gagi for his tireless support to all Programmes and policies of Ministry of Animals Health and Fisheries Development.
The Commissioner however urged federal government to facilitate the establishment of the zoophytic laboratory at Illela border to assist in tackling Trans border animal disease in the country.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mr Paul Lazarus, said the exercise was part of recommendations of World Organization for Animals Health that at least 70% of dogs should be vaccinated annually for three consecutive years.
According to the Minister, about 700,000 people die of rabies annually, in which the disease thrivedbin low to medium income countries of Africa and Asia, affecting mostly children due to ignorance.
“In our effort to achieve this global target, the departmwnt of Veterinary and Pest Control Services sought for additional international support.
” And OIE responded by donating 200,000 doses of anti rabies vaccine (ARV) to the country,” he said
The vaccines, he said were distributed to states based on their reported status and number of reported cases.
Also in his vote of thanks, the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, commended the organisers for choosing his community to sensitise people on the danger of the rabies disease.
The District Head assured the Commissioner that as stakeholders they would continue to support government Programmes and policies for sustainable development of the state and country.
Lateefah Ibrahim
