SOKOTO – (Federal Ministry of Health Report) – The Nigerian Government has vowed to upgrade all the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals across the country, saying it is committed to completing the National Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Abuja.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (Prof), who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz M. Abdullahi made this remark on Tuesday 23rd October, 2018 while speaking at the 55th Annual Congress of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association in Sokoto. He indicated that the Government will continue to promote and provide the enabling environment for effective veterinary practice in line with global best practices.
While appreciating the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) for her significant contributions to national development, he inferred that its support and advancement in livestock development and production is commendable.
“The Federal Government applauds the efforts of veterinarians in the control and prevention of dreadful animal diseases of economic and public health significance such as Avian Influenza, este de petit ruminant (PPR), African swine fever, Lassa Fever, Rabbis and Bovine, among others,” Osinbajo said.
He continued that the objective of the conference is to strengthen veterinary practice in Nigeria, adding that it is expected that the conference would provide solutions to global challenges such as climate change, emerging diseases, poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
Highlighting the contributions of veterinarians to the Nigerian economy, he averred that some veterinarians have transformed into successful entrepreneurs and have created jobs for thousands of Nigerians through the establishment of small and medium scale veterinary – related businesses such as pharmaceutical companies, livestock and poultry farms, diagnostic laboratories, feed mills, clinics, meat and milk processing plants.
“These success by your members serves as impetus to Government and we will continue to engage young veterinary graduates in entrepreneurial and skills development programmes,” he enjoined, calling on the States and Local Governments to continue to employ veterinarians in their respective services.
