As part of efforts geared towards delivering quality animal health care services and strengthening the capacity of the Administration to respond swiftly to the prevention of emerging infectious diseases, the FCT Administration has inaugurated Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

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During the inaugural ceremony held in Nyanya, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, noted that the livestock sub-sector provides enormous business and commercial opportunities that could help facilitate job creation and poverty reduction as well as the attainment of food security and improved livelihood for the citizenry.

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu

A press statement issue July 27, 2021by Austine Elemue, S.A Media To FCT Minister of State says the minister used the occasion to flag-off the free anti-rabies vaccination campaign and distribution of inputs to livestock farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, also lamented that the economic and social viability of the livestock sector was threatened by the increasing outbreak of animal diseases particularly those that are highly communicable and zoonotic by nature.

According to her; “studies have shown that the majority of diseases that afflict animals are zoonotic, capable of causing not only huge fatalities in both animals and humans but economic losses as well.

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu

“In Nigeria, we have witnessed notable zoonosis such as Anthrax, Monkeypox and Ebola. Other contagious diseases such as Rabies and Lassa fever, Avian Influenza, Rinderpest, Peste des Petits Ruminants amongst others”.
Aliyu, however, pledged that the FCT Administration was leaving no stone unturned to ensure the sustenance of the sector through the implementation of innovative strategies to boost productivity and help enhance systemic capacity and preparedness to combat emerging and infectious animal diseases even before they occur.

She used the occasion to reveal that the Administration has concluded plans in establishing a Special Livestock Industrial Processing Zone in the Paikon-Kore grazing reserve, aimed at boosting the livestock production and processing, while promoting peaceful, mutually-beneficial economic partnerships between herders and pastoralists, creating jobs, and enhancing food security.

The minister commended all those that have contributed to the success of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory, particularly the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, on the milestone achievement of creating a vehicle for facilitating quick animal health care service delivery to the residents of the FCT, in line with the food security enhancement policy of the current administration.

Drugs purchase to tackle all forms of infectious

On his part, the Ag. Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mr. Prospect Ibe, also emphasized the importance of the project, stressing that the implementation of innovative programmes would help to reposition the agricultural sector towards increasing food production and improving the livelihood of FCT residents.

Ibe further noted that prior to the establishment of this laboratory, the secretariat had relied on other institutions for test analysis and diagnosis, adding that with this development residents have the opportunity to access reliable laboratory services and getting test results in quicker time.

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He, however, assured that in order to ensure the sustenance of this project, the secretariat has with the support of partners, exposed the Veterinary Doctors and Laboratory Scientists on the effective use of the equipment, while appealing to farmers and owners of animals to maintain hygiene where their animals are kept.

Drugs purchase to tackle all forms of infectious

The highpoint of the event was the vaccination of animals against rabies and distribution of inputs to livestock farmers in the FCT.

Dr Arosonyi receives Man of the Year award for agriculture.

Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.

A foremost farmer in Kogi state, Dr Tunde Arosanyi, has received the Man of the Year award for his worthy contributions to the development of agriculture and Okun land in general.

Presenting the award at a ceremony held on Friday at NUJ Press center in Lokoja, the Chairman Okun Journalists League, Mr Friday Ogungbemi, said Dr Arosanyi was selected based on his contributions to fostering unity, development of agriculture and peaceful disposition in Okun land and Kogi state.

Ogungbemi explained that the Okun Journalists League after due considerations of his humanitarian and agricultural services to the land decided to recognise and appreciate him with the Man of the year award.

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He maintained that the recipient who is very much into agriculture has encouraged a lot of youths to take farming and today they are big time beneficiaries of his counsellings and therefore deserve the award.

A foremost farmer in Kogi state, Dr Tunde Arosanyi

Chairman of the occasion, Dr Chief Femi Ajisafe, a Farmer and environmental consultant, hailed the Okun Journalists league for their wisdom and foresight for selecting Dr Arosanyi for the award.

Dr Ajisafe, while appreciating the Journalists, stated that the recipient of the award has been committed to farming right from his youthful days and has now risen to the national level as the national technical adviser to the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, (AFAN).

He said with optimism, the award given to Chief Arosonyi will propel other numerous professionals in other fields of endeavour to work harder to also make their marks in their communities.

The renowned famer berated the politicians who have been encouraging laziness among the present generation of youths as they have turned them into “scavengers of money” instead of encouraging them to engage in skills and farming.

“These politicians especially our elected Representatives have abandoned their constituents and duties for their personal comfort abroad and the youth continue to worship them, calling them leaders as they throw some few money into the air for them to scramble. It is quite unfortunate, they are idle and praise singers”. Chief Ajisafe lamented.

While advocating for inclusiveness of Okun people in the national politics, he appealed to the Okun media men to mobilize and sensitise the people to support the desire for an Okun person to be elected governor come 2023.

A renowned Lokoja based right activist, Idris Miliki Abdul

In his goodwill message, a Kogi state based human rights activist, Comrade Idris Miliki, urged Journalists to get organized to perform their duties diligently without fear or favour.

Traditional ruler advises Kogi govt on distribution, sales of inputs to farmers.

Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.

Worried by the poor method of distribution and sale of agricultural inputs and seedlings to farmers in Kogi state, a traditional ruler, the Shaba of Felele in Lokoja Local government area, Alhaji Musa Abdulkadir, has appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Development Program (ADP) to involve traditional rulers in the exercise to ensure equitable distribution of the commodities.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

In an interview with our correspondent in his palace at Felele, a suburb of Lokoja on Wednesday, Alhaji Abdulkadir lamented that the inputs like fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, water pumping machines and seedlings have been given or sold to persons either than the actual farmers.

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He also alleged that apart from hoarding the commodities by some persons to be sold to merchants from other states, the distribution of the remnants were done secretly and corruptly in favour of few rich that can afford at exorbitant prices.

“For justice and fair play, the commodities should be distributed directly through the traditional rulers who know the farmers in their various communities. As community leaders, we know our subjects and their occupations, their farms and residences”. The Shaba said.

The traditional ruler noted that the zeal of the farmers could be ebbed if at the end inputs, seedlings and other necessary farming equipments are denied will result in less production.

He explained that though Covid-19 scare and the inglorious activities of kidnappers and bandits might have affected the last harvest resulting in high cost of food prices, with the return of normalcy in Kogi state, farmers are eager to also return to their businesses and should therefore be encouraged by multiplying the inputs seedlings , tractors and other farming implement at affordable prices given free of charge.

Kogi State Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. David Apeh

Alhaji Abdulkadir also advised the governed to set up agricultural committees for the communities led by traditional rulers to ensure peace among farmers and oversee security on the farms.