The Commissioner for Agriculture in Kaduna State, Alhaji Murtala Dabo, has disclosed that due to the challenge of insecurity, many livestock farmers have lost their animals to quack veterinary doctors in the state.
He made the disclosure during the certificate award ceremony of 25 trained Veterinary Para-Professionals (VPPs) organised by the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), in partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United States (FAO).
The commissioner, who was represented by the director, Veterinary and Livestock, Dr Pakachi Sam, said the state government had employed 60 veterinary doctors into its payroll to address the challenge of inadequate vet doctors, but it is not enough.
“It is sad that due to insecurity in some farmers in parts of the state, many livestock farmers have lost their animals to quack vet doctors. Although the state has employed 60, it is not enough,” he said.
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Also speaking, the vice chancellor of the ABU, Professor Kabiru Bala, who was represented by the director, Division of Agriculture Colleges, Professor Musa Mahadi, charged the graduates to be the bridge between communities and sustainable animal health by making a difference.
He noted that the training was an effort to achieve a sustainable future in animal health services; hence, the 25 VPPs have been certified with the requisite skills to care for animals in order to preserve the ecosystem, protect biodiversity and promote food security for communities.
“Over the past six months, these graduates have shown unwavering commitment and thirst for knowledge. They have navigated the challenges of online and physical training, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity, a testimony of their passion for animal welfare and sustainability,” he said.
The FAO representative in Nigeria, Mr Dominique Kaucou, who was represented by the project country coordinator, Dr Shehu Shamsudeen, while congratulating the graduates, noted that the VPP Project was one of FAO’s activities in three countries of Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa, designed in partnership with World Veterinary Association (WVA) and Health-for-Animals (H4A) to address animal health concerns at the last mile of the grassroots.
In her remarks, the president, Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Dr. Aisha Abubakar, who was represented by her vice, Professor Matthew Adamu, reminded the graduates that the Council was solely responsible for the regulation, training and practice of veterinary medicine in the country.
