…targets disease-free herds, food security
By Fatima Muraina
Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has launched the statewide Livestock Vaccination Campaign against major animal diseases.
In kicking off, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening food security, improving livestock productivity and protecting the investments of farmers across the state.
The vaccination exercise, implemented under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support, L-PRES, project, a World Bank-assisted initiative under the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, targets major livestock diseases, including contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, CBPP, foot and mouth disease, FMD)l and Newcastle Disease, while providing free vaccination for sheep, goats, cattle and poultry.
Represented at the ceremony, which took place in Akure the state capital by his Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the exercise as a landmark intervention in the state’s drive to build a resilient livestock industry and ensure the availability of safe, wholesome animal protein for residents.
He noted that livestock production remains a key component of Ondo State’s agricultural transformation agenda but lamented that recurring transboundary animal diseases continue to threaten farmers’ livelihoods, public health and economic growth.
The governor stressed that diseases such as CBPP, FMD and Newcastle Disease have caused enormous losses through reduced productivity, high mortality rates, increased production costs and trade restrictions.
He added the statewide vaccination campaign demonstrates the government’s resolve to tackle the challenge through coordinated disease surveillance and preventive vaccination.
He said, “By protecting our cattle and poultry populations, we are safeguarding the livelihoods of thousands of livestock farmers while ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome animal protein for our citizens.”
Aiyedatiwa commended the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, L-PRES, development partners and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative, noting that the state had continued to record significant achievements under the L-PRES project.
He listed some of the interventions to include the construction of modern abattoirs, establishment of artificial insemination centres, rehabilitation of veterinary clinics, development of livestock facilities, provision of solar-powered boreholes in livestock settlements, distribution of motorcycles to extension officers and supply of fodder processing equipment to livestock farmers.
The governor urged livestock owners, pastoralists and poultry farmers to present all eligible animals for vaccination, stressing that prevention remains the most effective and economical strategy for controlling livestock diseases.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, described the vaccination exercise as a strategic intervention aimed at preventing disease outbreaks, increasing livestock productivity and strengthening the resilience of livestock farmers.
He said the programme demonstrates the commitment of the Aiyedatiwa-led administration to protecting investments in the livestock sector while safeguarding public health.
Akinola explained that the exercise was being carried out through the L-PRES, the Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, development partners, livestock associations and other stakeholders.
He urged livestock farmers, herders, poultry farmers and community leaders to take full advantage of the free vaccination exercise by making their animals available.
He enthused, “Disease prevention remains far more effective and economical than disease treatment and control. This vaccination is free of charge. Make your herds available so they can be vaccinated. It is to protect your investments while also protecting the lives of the people who consume these animals.”
The commissioner also charged veterinary officers, extension agents and field personnel to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, diligence and integrity, saying that their commitment was critical to the success of the programme.
He added, “As we flag off this exercise today, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to building a healthy, productive and prosperous livestock industry that will contribute meaningfully to the economic development and food security of Ondo State.”
Stakeholders at the event unanimously welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major boost for livestock production and animal health in the state.
Chairman of the Sheep and Goat Association, Mr. Adeleye, thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for partnering with L-PRES, saying the intervention would greatly benefit livestock farmers and improve their businesses.
He appealed to the project implementation team to continue involving livestock associations in future programmes.
Representative of the Ondo State chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Mr. Olawande Fadipe, said the vaccination exercise would help prevent disease outbreaks in poultry farms and expressed confidence in the quality of the vaccines supplied by the government.
Similarly, the representative of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, commended the governor and veterinary personnel for consistently providing vaccination services to cattle settlements, particularly in Iju-Itaogbolu.
Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Oloruntoba Olodun said that the partnership between the state government and L-PRES had significantly strengthened veterinary services, making it possible to vaccinate thousands of animals against epidemic diseases affecting cattle, sheep, goats and poultry.
He noted that the intervention would reduce animal mortality, increase livestock productivity and improve the supply of animal protein to residents, while calling for sustained investment in veterinary infrastructure and disease prevention programmes.
Other stakeholders described the timing of the vaccination campaign as appropriate for boosting livestock immunity, while several livestock farmers expressed gratitude to the government, recalling that disease outbreaks had previously resulted in heavy financial losses.
They also applauded recent agricultural interventions by the Aiyedatiwa-led administration, including fertiliser distribution and support for extension services, expressing optimism that sustained vaccination campaigns would protect farmers’ investments, improve public health and position Ondo State as a leading livestock production hub in Nigeria.