16th December, 2017
Over 1.4 million cattle, goats and sheep have been targeted for vaccination against Contagious Bovine Pluro Pneumonia (CBPP) and Pest Petit Ruminants (PPR) border diseases in six local government areas in Yobe.
Senate leader and chairman SAIL foundation, Ahmad Lawan, disclosed this st the beginning of the vaccination on Saturday in Gashua.
Lawan said the foundation sponsored the Programme to safeguard health of the livestock with a view to boosting meat and dairy production.
He said the problem of cattle rustling in North west and Boko Haram insurgency in the North east had forced many livestock farmers to migrate to the area for safety.
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“The migration of cattle rearers from North west and Borno to Yobe North has created a congestion, so we have to complement government’s efforts in safeguarding health of both indigenous and the migrating animals,” he said.
According to him, the programme will also ensure healthy animals for consumption and enhance meat and dairy production to improve the economy of the people.
He said the foundation also provided 60 hand pumps to provide water points to herders and their animals.
“We have provided 10 hand pumps in each of the six local government areas to support livestock development in the communities,” Lawan added.
Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam commended the foundation for supporting government in safeguarding health of the animals and promoting economy of the state.
Gaidam, represented by Alhaji Mustapha Gajerima, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, said “apart from the state government, the senate leader is the only individual that has contributed to safeguard the health of animals in the state”.
The governor urged livestock farmers to take advantage of the exercise to vaccinate their animals against the diseases.
Dr Mustapha Gaidam, Manager, Yobe Livestock Programme, commended the lawmaker for engaging professionals to undertake the exercise.
“We have veterinary doctors from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the state livestock development programme handling the vaccination professionally,” he said.
Fulani cultural organizations in the six local government areas commended Sen. Lawan for providing food supplements, water points and healthcare to the animals.