The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has donated 50,000 doses of anthrax vaccines to the Lagos State government in the fight against the disease.
On Tuesday, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the ministry embarked on a three-day sensitisation visit to the state Ministry of Agriculture to prevent the spread of the disease.
The team paid a courtesy visit to the ministry’s permanent secretary and the cattle market and abattoir in the Oko-oba Agege area of Lagos.
The representative of the permanent secretary of FMARD, Ernest Umakhihe, and deputy director, AbdulKareem Durosinlorun, said the sensitisation and donation of the vaccines was part of the ministry’s efforts to contain the disease outbreak.
“We have also provided 50,000 free dosages of the anthrax vaccine to the state in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA) of the United Nations,” said Mr Durosinlorun.
Stating that the abattoir and cattle market was one of the biggest markets in the state, he emphasised the need for merchants and butchers to identify the symptoms of the disease.
In her response, Ibironke Emokpae, permanent secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, appreciated FMARD’s support in curbing the spread of the anthrax disease.
“Vaccinations have begun in the state, and we have set up surveillance and biosecurity at point of entries of abattoirs in Lagos to detect any ailing animal,” Ms Emokpae said.
Otto Muhinda, the Nigeria Country Team Leader, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, also commended the government for creating awareness of the disease and prevention.
“We look forward to continuing the monitoring in other states; we need to sensitise more stakeholders on national level for a national strategy to stop the spread of the disease.
“We are satisfied with what the government is doing,” Mr Muhinda said.
In reaction, Abdullahi Lalega, the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Association, Oko-oba/Agege cattle market, said the merchants and butchers were ready to cooperate with the government in the fight against the disease.
Emeka Asiegbu of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) said all hands are on deck in continuous enlightenment against Anthrax disease.
