By Fatima Muraina

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In a bid to ensure a successful anthrax vaccination campaign for ruminants in Ondo State, the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, in partnership with the Ondo State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has organised a one-day training exercise for veterinary doctors who will administer the vaccinations across all 18 local government areas of the state.

A  statement by the press officer,  Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Sola Omoboyowa,  stated that the training was declared open by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola.

The statement also noted that Mrs Tunde-Daramola urged the participants to take notes and apply the knowledge gained during the vaccination exercise on the field.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Adebayo Ehinmowo, expressed appreciation to the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project for its partnership with the  State Government, aimed at protecting public health in the state.

A retired Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Felix Akingbade, and Mr Dayo Ogedengbe from the Department of Enforcement, Ondo State Waste Management Board, conducted the workshop, where they guided participants on the proper administration of vaccinations and the safe disposal of used vaccination materials.

The  State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, Mr Femi Adeogun, said that the anthrax vaccination is free of charge for animal owners and cattle breeders in the state. He explained that L-PRES, in partnership with the State Government, has provided all necessary logistics and inputs for the vaccination exercise.

Mr Adeogun urged veterinary practitioners attending the workshop to pay close attention to the training and  ensure the successful implementation of the anthrax vaccination programme across the state.

Earlier in the week, staff of Ondo L-PRES, led by State Coordinator Mr Femi Adeogun and Director of Veterinary Services Dr Adebayo Ehinmowo, held stakeholders’ meetings with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, goat, and sheep farmers across the three senatorial districts in Akure (Central), Owo (North), and Ore (South).

The meetings aimed to educate farmers and breeders on the importance of vaccinating their animals against anthrax and the implications of non-vaccination.

Having concluded the advocacy tour, the free vaccination exercise is set to commence in the coming week across all 18 local government areas of the state and will be launched by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa during the flag-off ceremony slated for 12th February 2025 at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Alagbaka, Akure.