By Hajara Usman
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has officially launched the 2024 annual livestock vaccination campaign, aimed at vaccinating over 3 million animals, including cattle, sheep, and goats, against Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), and anthrax.
The event, held in Tumfure-Bashar, Akko Local Government Area, marks the fourth consecutive year of this health initiative aimed at enhancing livestock health and safeguarding public health.
Governor Yahaya emphasized the critical role of this vaccination exercise in preventing diseases that have historically harmed livestock and the livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists. He highlighted that diseases like CBPP and PPR cause significant economic losses through high livestock mortality, while anthrax, a zoonotic disease, poses serious risks to human health.
He stressed the importance of livestock in Gombe’s economy, noting that thousands of herders and livestock farmers contribute to food security and economic growth. “The livestock sub-sector holds great potential, which we aim to unlock through initiatives like the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) and the Livestock Productivity Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project,” Governor Yahaya said.
He also noted that the Gombe State Development Plan 2021-2030 includes targeted interventions in agriculture to achieve self-sufficiency and create wealth through livestock production.Governor Yahaya reaffirmed his commitment to improving veterinary services by providing vaccines, personnel, and transportation.
He urged herders and farmers to take full advantage of the program and ensure their animals are vaccinated.In addition to the vaccination campaign, Governor Yahaya announced several agricultural projects, including the construction of a modern abattoir, the establishment of an international cattle market, and the rehabilitation of slaughterhouses and veterinary clinics.
The reactivation of the Poultry Production Unit, the demarcation of grazing reserves, and the regulation of livestock movement across state borders were also highlighted as key initiatives.Addressing the issue of farmers-herders conflicts, the governor said his administration had reconstituted the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committee to find lasting solutions to these clashes.
A task force was also established to reclaim encroached game reserves, grazing reserves, forest reserves, and cattle corridors, with strict penalties for illegal encroachment.Dr. Barnabas Malle, Commissioner of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperatives, noted that sufficient vaccines had been provided to cover an estimated 3.6 million livestock, thanks to collaboration with the L-PRES Project.
He described the consistent vaccination efforts as a departure from past practices, ensuring healthier animals and the control of diseases that can affect both animals and humans.Dr. Ibrahim Bomoi, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s Gombe State Coordinator, praised the governor’s leadership, stating that the vaccination program would boost animal production and enhance the quality of livestock products.
Modibbo Yaya, leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association, thanked the governor for his dedication to the welfare of pastoralists, noting that the annual vaccination program has strengthened the sense of belonging among herders.The event culminated in a symbolic vaccination of cattle by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, marking the official commencement of the 2024 campaign.
