By Musa Baba Adamu
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has made a strong case for those engaged in livestock business to be assisted by the Federal government.
Lawan made the appeal at the weekend during the flag off of the Free Mass Animal Vaccination which he sponsors every year, since 2018, for his constituents in Yobe North Senatorial District, Yobe State.
This year flag off ceremony held on Saturday at Jajuwa in Jakusko Local Government Area.
In his remarks at the flag off ceremony, the Senate President said: “It is our belief here that the livestock industry in Nigeria is one of the biggest contributors to the economy of Nigeria.
“And it is only fair that the livestock industry is supported by government because we benefit immensely from this sector of our economy and it is unfair for anyone to say that livestock industry is private business and therefore should not be supported. That is unfair.
“We have so many private businesses including banks that are supported by government. And therefore our livestock sector and those who man it deserve the support of government particularly the Federal government.
“And I will push for that, that this industry is supported by government to ease the problems that those who run the industry suffer from time to time.
“Today we are here to flag off the livestock vaccination for our livestock, our cattle, cows, our sheep, our goats and other smaller animals.
“This has been an annual event and this year is not different. Last year we set a target of about a million cows and about 500 smaller animals like sheep and goats particularly. This year we are going to do the same or even slightly higher than that in number.
“What is also different this year is that we are going to increase our support to our Fulani herdsdsmen and livestock rearers.”
Speaking at the flag off ceremony at Nguru, the Acting Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, Dr Adamu Abdullahi spoke of the tremendous impact of the medical outreach on the people.
“These continuous interventions have reduced the prevalence of the disease burden. The impact is both direct and indirect. The quality of lives of many beneficiaries had improved and the effect on their families is very noticeable and the community is appreciative,” Abdullahi said.
