By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
The Bauchi state government in collaboration with the World Bank is to establish a Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project in order to improve the productivity, commercialization and strengthening of the veterinary sector in the state.
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdukadir Muhammad disclosed this when he inaugurated the 2025 Livestock vaccination campaign in Itas-Gadau local government area of the state.
He said that the project will also renovate, construct slaughter houses and veterinary clinics in 14 local governments, rehabilitate laboratories and other facilities in 10 local government areas including the establishment of farmers school and the school of Agriculture.
According to the governor, the Project has conducted training for 100 veterinary and herdsmen health officers on disease monitoring and investigation.
The governor stressed on the importance of the veterinary sector in public health, disease prevention, and food security, pointing out that that the sector has played a vital role in controlling and managing diseases such as rabies.
To this end, the governor stated the sum of N80.9 million has been earmarked for the 2025 annual Livestock vaccination with an initial release of N40 million adding that vaccination campaign is aimed at fighting diseases such as contagious bovine Pneumonia, CPP and Cattle Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) for Sheep and Goats, and Newcastle disease for poultry.
Muhammad highlighted that Bauchi is one of the largest producers of livestock in Nigeria, with 75 percent of its farmers engaged in the rearing of various types of animals.
According to the Governor, available data indicates that the state is home to more than 3 million cattle, 8 million sheep, and goats, underscoring the urgent need to vaccinate these animals against diseases.
Governor Muhammad also noted that in 2024, Bauchi State recorded 200 incidents of dog bites, with 23 confirmed cases of rabies. He emphasized the importance of preventing rabies and urged dog owners to bring their pets for vaccination.
“In cases of rabies, which result from unvaccinated dogs, the state government has procured 10,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccine. These will be distributed to veterinary clinics across the 20 local government areas of the state. We encourage those who own dogs, whether as pets, for security, or for hunting, to bring them to a clinic for vaccination at no cost,” the Governor stated.
“For this round of vaccination campaign, the total of 1 million herds of cattle, 500 sheep and goats as well as 500 poultry are targeted to be vaccinated across the state”, the Governor said.
“The government will also provide additional vaccines if the need arises and will continue to work tirelessly towards a healthy livestock population in Bauchi state, he said.
In addition, Governor Mohammed announced plans to construct 100 semi-dams along cattle routes across the state to ensure that cattle entering Bauchi have access to water
“I am calling on citizens who keep dogs as pets, for hunting or for security reasons to carry them to the nearest veterinary hospital for vaccination free of charge,” he said***
Speaking the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Agriculture Alhaji Ibrahim Yushau Isah said ” the flag up aimed at preventing deadly livestock diseases such as contagious bovine, Pleuropneumonia, CBPP, Pestesdes Petis Ruminants, PPR and new castle diseases which have become major threats to livestock Production.
Yushau appeal to Local Government Chairmen to support veterinary staff and ensure a seamless vaccination exercise..
Speaking at the event, the state Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Kabiru Yusuf Tilde and the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Muhammad Husaini Buzaye commended the governor for the initiative and urged livestock owners to take full advantage of the campaign by vaccinating their animals.
The leaders also called for inclusion of animal feed distribution exercise and sustained livestock vaccination programmes as part of the state government’s agricultural development initiative. End.
