By Olayinka Olawale
The Lagos State Government has called on stakeholders to collaborate with the government in its transformative journey in the agricultural sector.

Ms Abisola Olusanya, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, stated this at a news conference ahead of the 2023 World Food Day celebration on Tuesday in Alausa, Ikeja.

Olusanya said the collaboration was the key to delivering prosperity and well-being to Lagos residents.

She listed the projects undertaken by the government to include the Food Systems Transformation Agenda, Lagos Rice Mill, Agro Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) and Lagos CARES Projects.

Olusanya said others: Eko Agro Mechanisation Programme, Agricultural Training and Input Support, Fish Cage Culture System, Coconut Value Chain Development and Lagos Agric Scholars Programme and other special projects.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2023 celebration is: “Water Is Life, Water Is Food, Leave No One Behind”.

Olusanya noted that in 2021, the ministry had developed a five-year Agricultural and Food Systems Road Map to create the pathway for the achievement of 40 per cent self-sufficiency in food production by 2025.

She said the road map highlights plans to encourage youth participation, stimulate private sector investments and attract donor agency funding for agricultural projects.

She added that the road map would create new partnerships along the various agricultural value chains especially where the state has competitive and comparative advantages.

“Today, we can proudly present the initiatives of Lagos State in the agricultural sector which are the evidence of our unwavering dedication and the resilience of our farmers.

“All of these efforts which put Lagos on the path towards a sustained development of its agricultural ecosystem are a collaborative journey.

“We, therefore, invite all stakeholders, investors, researchers, farmers, fishermen, agro-processors and donor agencies to join us in this transformative journey as it is a key to delivering prosperity well-being to Lagosians.

“Together, let us press forward on this path that redefines the significance of agriculture as the bedrock of Nigeria’s economic strength as this sector not only nurtures livelihoods.

“But also drives prosperity, contributing to the achievement of a greater Lagos rising,” she said.

Olusanya said the World Food Day marked on Oct. 16 annually to encourage action on food insecurity coincided with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) year of establishment.

She said all member countries of the FAO including Nigeria, annually participate in the events which focus primarily on the state of food security, issues behind poverty and hunger and efforts made to addressed the challenges.

“This year’s edition comes up amid serious food security issues occasioned by the effect of unstable exchange rate, climate change, environmental degradation loss of biodiversity and insurgency.

“These challenges have severely impacted the global supply of food which calls for intensified efforts towards building more sustainable food systems to scale food production and processing, reduce food wastage.

“It also provide decent livelihood opportunities for rural, peri-urban, and urban farmers, as well as ensure food and nutrition security for Lagosians.

“Ninety-five per cent of our food is produced on land and all begins with soil and water.

“This year’s theme which aims to highlight the critical role of water for life on earth and water as foundation of our food, therefore, seeks to raise awareness on the importance of managing water wisely.

“Rapid population growth, economic development, urbanisation and climatic change threaten water availability,” she added.

Olusanya stressed that 40 per cent of fresh foods and vegetables, either grown or brought into Lagos annually are wasted resulting in the waste of precious resources.

“Agriculture alone accounts for 72 per cent of global freshwater withdrawals, while 16 per cent is used by municipalities for households and services and 12 per cent by industries.

“As you are all aware, Lagos State has the smallest land mass compared to other states of the federation, in Lagos, rivers and other water bodies constituting about 22 per cent of its territory.

“This peculiarity brings to fore the need for more coordinated strategies to further harness the water and marine potentials of the state,’’ she said.

Olusanya stressed the need to maximise the limited available agricultural land through efficient use of these water and land resources for a better water-food security system.

“Identifying and assessing solutions that jointly support water, food security systems are therefore critical as climate extremes and other stressors increasingly threaten access to water for all,” she said.

The commissioner highlighted activities lined up to mark the 2023 World Food Day in Lagos to include: road walk /sensitisation programme and schools’ agric quiz competition for public secondary schools on Oct. 12.

“There will also be Farmers’ Forum, an interactive forum between the ministry, farmers and other stakeholders on October 13 at NECA House, Alausa. Ikeja

“The Grand Finale with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Special guest of honour would hold on October 16,’’ she said.

Olusanya, however, commended partners that had stood by the ministry over the years for their unflinching support in marking the World Food Day celebration in Lagos state a success.(NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Dr Tony Bello, a food scientist, has urged the Federal Government to tap into the expertise of food technocrats among Nigerian diaspora to enhance the growth of the country’s consumer packaged food sub-sector.

Bello, who is the Chairman of Shine Bridge Global, a U.S.-based food technology company, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

Bello said the government should reverse the brain drain phenomenon by actively involving skilled diaspora professionals in the food industry.

“Engagement of the diaspora community and private sector, not the politically inclined diaspora, but professionals with proven track records in their respective fields, especially in the food industry, will set the tone for this administration.

“During my 30 years of working for companies like PepsiCo Frito Lay, the Kellogg Company, the Heinz Frozen Foods, I came across a number of smarter Nigerians than myself, who have done great things in the food industry.

“It is high time we bring these people back. Let us reverse the brain drain to become the brain game. If this administration can focus on that, I tell you, we will be up to something,” he noted.

Bello recommended that the government should prioritise research and development innovation, utilising established food science and technologies to transform staple foods into fast-moving consumer products.

The expert said this approach, would help provide ample energy, nutrition, and micronutrients necessary for health and wellness.

According to him, Nigeria has the potential to capitalise on its processed cassava market to generate approximately 10 billion dollars in revenue if properly exploited.

He said: “We are talking about an opportunity to grow the African processed cassava market in the tune of 10 billion dollars in revenue. This is the projection for gluten free consumer packaged goods.

“Today, that market is roughly six billion dollars and is expected to grow at 9.5 per cent or 10 per cent compounded annual growth rate.

“Well, the fiscal and monetary policy has to enable private sector engagements. Then, we would grow the processed cassava sector in Nigeria in the form of, let us say, with High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF).

“HQCF, in bakery applications for export, is a 10-billion dollar opportunity. For us at Shine Bridge Global, we have kick started this industrialisation in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole,” Bello said.

Bello also mentioned his intention to secure 3,000 metric tonnes of HQCF through collaboration with a Madagascan company interested in investing in Nigeria’s cassava sub-sector for export purposes.

Citing the success of the U.S. potato chips market, Bello said Nigeria has the capability to transform cassava flour into instant tapioca flakes.

“The market is waiting on the food manufacturing industry, they are waiting and we have been able to demonstrate the concept of transforming cassava flour into instant tapioca flakes.

“Tapioca flakes opens up the opportunity to apply our humble cassava flour in a diversity of consumer packaged foods, such as baby foods earlier indicated, baked goods and bakery mixes.

“This is not to mention our ‘fufu’ mixes, I tell you the best fufu you you will ever eat is what we have done with tapioca flour. I can not wait for it to hit the Nigerian markets,” he said.

The food scientist identified infrastructure, financing, youth engagement, and the availability of raw materials as key challenges to agricultural growth in Nigeria.

Bello, therefore, called on the federal government to revitalise and rejuvenate the commercial agriculture sector.

He emphasised the importance of a mindset shift, urging policymakers to view agriculture as a viable business opportunity rather than merely a means to alleviate poverty. (NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

By Olatunde Ajayi

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has conducted training and empowerment programmes for selected women-owned farmers’ cooperative societies in Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the primary objective of this initiative is to enhance the productivity and export potential of these farmers in the manufacturing and processing sectors within the state.

The Director-General, SMEDAN, Dr Olawale Fasanya, at the closing ceremony of the capacity building for the Women in Self-Employment Programme (WISE-P), in Ibadan, said the training was to enhance the production of high-quality foods.

Fasanya, who was represented by SMEDAN Deputy Director, Special Duties, Mr Tunde Oloyede, said that the programme included entrepreneurship and enterprise training, with a specific focus on Hazard and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and delivery of empowerment equipments.

According to him, the training package, designed to enhance the beneficiaries’ capacity, will not produce quality products that only meet the standards of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) but other international market requirements.

“This capacity building will also create a financial enablement for women cooperatives and their businesses on the needed sound footing for impact – in terms of pride, profit, and diversification.

“The objectives of this programme, therefore, include to encourage more women cooperatives to embrace processing and manufacturing food related products as a viable business option and to encourage the diversification of the economy away from crude oil into non-oil exports,” he said.

Also, Mr Ademola Ojo, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives in Oyo State, urged the beneficiaries to leverage the skills acquired during the training to expand and effectively manage their vocational enterprises.

Ojo said this would help them to focus on wealth creation and employment generation within the cooperative societies.

He noted that it would contribute positively to the nation’s economy and improve the standard of living for citizens.

“I wish to add that the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, will continue to provide an enabling environment for private enterprises to thrive in the state,” he said.

In his lecture, Dr James Marsh, a food safety consultant from HAACP Academy Nigeria (HAN), charged the participants to be mindful of food hygiene, food fraud, food terrorism, bioterrorism and food sabotage in their operations.

He urged the participants to always imbibe and practice food safety so that they could favourably compete with producers in the international community.

“Majority of ailments that people have is as a result of what they eat.

“Life expectancy rate in Nigeria is not an encouraging figure, we need to focus more on preventive medicine through food safety.

“Government also need to do more on food sensitisation,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries from Agricultural Exporting Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Dr Oluwatomisin Olatunji, said that the training had exposed the participants to food safety system that would ensure that Nigeria products are accepted both locally and internationally.

Another beneficiary from Olorunsogo Oba-Agbe Mechanised Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Mrs Damilola Bukola, urged government to ensure strict compliance with food industry regulations.

She said this would help to improve standard of food coming out of Nigeria to international community.

NAN reports that the two selected cooperatives were empowered with dehydrator for drying food products, slicing machine, power miller for milling dried products and automatic sealing machine for sealing finished products. (NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

By Bukola Adewumi

The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, Nigeria Chapter, has engaged editors in the Nigeria media industry in an interactive session aimed at enhancing accurate science communication.

The interaction, which held in Lagos, was supported by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and hosted under the auspices of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).

Ms. Sarah Melah, Information Officer for OFAB, in a statement said the workshop was to equip editors with a comprehensive understanding of Agricultural Biotechnology and Biosafety.

She said the goal was to ensure that decisions regarding Genetically Modified (GM) crops were rooted in evidence-based science, and policymakers’ choices were effectively conveyed to the public.

On her part, Mrs Iweajunwa  Ogochukwu, Head of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology and Biotech Awareness Unit, outlined the objectives, which was to keep the participants informed.

According to her, the workshop is to ensure participants stay updated on agricultural biotech developments.

She said that it would also correct misconceptions related to the safety of biotechnology.

Ogochukwu said it would also enhance the capacity of participants for more informed editorial decision-making regarding agricultural biotech matters.

Prof Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General, NABDA, emphasised on the importance of public understanding and acceptance of agricultural biotechnology.

He said that it was a collective responsibility to provide accurate and fair information to Nigerians in order to enable them to make informed decisions about biotechnology applications.

Mustapha highlighted the media’s crucial role as a bridge connecting complex scientific discoveries with the broader society, translating technical language into understandable terms, and fostering informed discussions.

Dr Rose Gidado, Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NABDA, drew attention to Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change and its detrimental impact on agricultural production.

She underscored biotechnology’s potential to address challenges posed by climate change, such as heat, floods, and droughts.(NAN)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee Foundation (NAPAC), an NGO, on Monday trained Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in FCT on sustainable organic garden farming and waste to wealth skills.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two IDP camps of Wassa and Kuchigoro, are located in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the FCT.

Mrs Zainab Mohammed, the NAPAC Board Director, Sustainable Food Security and Economic Empowerment Programme, explained that the event was part of the NGO’s annual programmes to commemorate Nigeria Independence Anniversary.

Mohammed, while addressing the beneficiaries of the training at Wassa IDP Camp, said the programme was to teach them modern day innovative farming at their backyards using organic materials.

She said it was part of the group’s mission to give back to the people as well to contribute to food security and economic empowerment in the country.

“ We are here to celebrate Nigeria Independence Day with them, not just to bring food for them to eat, but to teach them to fend for themselves.

“ There will be a waste to wealth training and when we leave this place we are going to Kuchigoro to do exactly what we are doing here.

“ We need them to start having an exit plan; once you are economically stable, you will now start thinking of how do you move on.

” We are here to train them how to do modern day farming, purely organic farming for health reasons.

“ Also to teach some of the women on waste to wealth, using the common day household items such as plastic, throwaway bottles to make school bags, purses and tyres to make earrings.’’

Mohammed said that the modern day farming was important, especially with the challenges hindering people, especially women from going to farm in different parts of the country.

The director said that the beneficiaries would be equipped on healthy methods of farming so that they could also eat healthy and sell some of the products in their local markets.

She described organic farming as one of the innovative way of farming these days, saying ” We farm in sacks; farm around our environment.

“ All the time we like to use our environment for just flowers, but right now we can actually farm to feed your community right from home.

“ We use plastic bottles to do some spices, herbs; we brought almost 200 sacks here because we are going to grow yam in sacks, potatoes in sacks, and so many things in a sack; that is the modern day farming.

“ You all know what is happening; men cannot go to the farm; women cannot go to the farm because they are being raped; they are being killed or kidnapped because of the banditry.

“ As you know they all ran from their communities to be here in Abuja. They want to be safe here,” Mohammed said.

She added that the training had nothing to do with politics and government, but individuals who believed in giving back to the society.

Also, Ijeoma Ndulue, Sustainable Organic Farming Expert, said one aspect of the training was how the beneficiaries could use organic materials around them to farm instead of using chemical base fertiliser.

Ndulue said that the organic farming was not only sustainable, but also had high yields as well help to reduce the effect of climate change.

“ We are here to teach you the organic way of farming with high output. You do not have to go out to far distance before you can farm.

“ You can use sack and other input to plant and get good yield from the crops,” she said.

Responding, Mr Joffre Bitrus, Chairman of Wassa IDP Camp, commended the NGO for donating farm seedlings and other food items.

Bitrus said that the training helped a lot of them to realise that they could farm at their backyards with sacks.

“I have been a farmer right from Borno; my father was also a farmer but I never knew I can use sacks to grow crops in my backyard.

“ A lot of us just got to know this today; we are grateful for that, “ he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Hadiza Mohammed from Adamawa, said that the training would not only help her to grow food to feed her family but also sell to meet their other needs.

Some of the organic items donated to the IDPs included sweet potatoes vines, vegetable seedlings, pepper seedlings, tomatoes seedlings, spinach seeds, pumpkin leaf seedlings and about 200 empty sacks for planting.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will strengthen synergy with agricultural research institutes to revitalise the agricultural sector in the FCT.

Mr Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, stated this during a visit to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was in continuation of the secretary’s familiarisation tour of agricultural facilities and institutions in the FCT.

Geidam explained that the goal of strengthening the synergy with research institutes is to boost food production and enhance food security.

He stressed the critical roles research institutes play in achieving sustainable agricultural development.

He specifically acknowledged the valuable expertise and resources that research institutes offer, particularly in sharing knowledge of agricultural innovations and technological practices amongst farmers in rural communities.

“The FCTA recognises that a robust agricultural sector is vital for food security, economic growth, and job creation particularly in the FCT, currently grappling with a rapidly increasing population.

“This is why FCT Administration will be strengthening synergy with your institute as well as other relevant organisations to leverage your knowledge and experience.

“This will enable us to address challenges and implement effective strategies for agricultural transformation,” Geidam said.

He explained that the familiarisation tour was to gain first-hand insights into the existing agricultural landscape, identify areas for improvement and assess the potential for collaboration with other organisations.

NAN reports that Geidam also visited the FCT Livestock Markets in Kugbo and Deidei; Nyanya Veterinary Clinic; Karu Abattoir and Kado Fish Market among others.

At the Karu abattoir, the secretary told the butchers and veterinary doctors that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, had given him a matching order to implement programmes that would revitalise the sector.

He assured the butchers that a holistic approach would be articulated and presented to the FCTA for implementation.

“Our plan, in line with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the present administration, is to reinvigorate the agricultural sector to contribute to food security.

“This will be done by increasing local production and reducing dependence on imported agricultural products.

“We are also looking forward to an agriculture sector that can create employment, improve income generation for farmers, and stimulate economic growth in rural areas,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Lucy Ogalue

The African Development Bank(AfDB) Group has unveiled a country-by-country economic reportson Africa’s climate change and green growth financing needs.

The aim of the report is to guide African policymakers in their discussions during the 28th United Nations(UN) Conference on Climate Change (COP 28).

The bank in a statement said the global event would take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from  Nov. 30 to  Dec. 12.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new Country Focus Reports (CFRs) provide analysis and policy recommendations to strengthen countries’ active participation at COP 28.

The theme of the reports is “Mobilising private sector finance for climate and green growth in Africa”.

The report foster policy dialogue on macroeconomic performance and outlook and provide insights on mobilising private sector and natural capital finance to drive the continent’s climate resilience and green growth policies.

Prof Kevin Urama, AfDB’s Chief Economist and Vice President, said the reports would evoke sound, practical and implementable policies to enhance private sector financing for climate change and green growth.

“As countries prepare for COP28, the reports provide each African country with independent, verified analysis and recommendations.

“For evidence-based negotiations during the global conversation on climate finance and green transitions.

“The reports contain several short, medium, and long-term policies to accelerate African countries’ economic growth and build resilience to shocks. “They provide governments and potential investors with up-to-date, accurate data to inform policy and investment decisions,”Urama said

The vice president said climate change had been identified as one of the most pressing existential threats to Africa’s inclusive growth and sustainable development.

According to Urama, this year’s country reports explore opportunities to leverage private sector resources and natural capital to close the climate finance gap.

He said this would support the transition to inclusive, strong, and sustainable green growth.

According to Urama, expanding private sector participation in green growth markets requires several policy interventions, including strengthening the capacity to develop long-term green growth strategies.

He said that this includes the development of appropriate regulations and incentives, supporting project preparation and development, and developing more robust capital markets.

“This will support easy entry and exit for domestic and global investors.

“It will require greater use of blended finance, the use of de-risking facilities at scale, and the development of platforms.

“That allow the private sector to invest in a portfolio of green projects, rather than individual projects, to diversify and manage risk,” Urama said.

The AfDB’s Acting Director of Country Economics, Ferdinand Bakoup, said the Country Focus Reports 2023 built on the African Economic Outlook 2023 which was launched in May.

Bakoup said the report also build on the subsequent Regional Economic Outlooks launched in July.

He said: “the CFRs’ detailed country-level analysis and policy recommendations will impact policy design and future projects and programmes in African countries.

“Through these continental, regional, and country-specific reports, AfDB seeks to reduce the information imbalances that result from generalising about countries across a very diverse continent.

“The document highlights how governments can strengthen macroeconomic performance and outlook and catalyse private sector and natural capital finance to support climate action and green growth initiatives in the country.

“These include green bonds, debt for climate swaps, green banks, blended finance, carbon markets, and several other innovative financing instruments,”he said.

The African Economic Outlook (AEO) 2023 and the Regional Economic Outlooks reports highlight the resilience of several African economies despite a series of compounding shocks in recent years.

The shocks include the COVID-19 pandemic, persistent impact of climate change, global conflicts, financial market volatility, rising debt vulnerabilities and more.

The Country Focus Reports gives more specific insights for each African country.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Felicia Imohimi

Stakeholders in the animal health sector have urged the states and local governments to step up efforts at dog vaccination in order to meet 2030 rabies elimination in Nigeria.

The stakeholders– Life Stock Management Services (LMS) and the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the commemoration of the World Rabies Day.

World Rabies Day is observed annually on September 28 and the theme for 2023 is, “All for 1, one health for all.”

Dr Abubakar Muhammed, Director and Chief Executive Officer of LMS, in his keynote address, said the states and local councils should prioritise efforts at rabies elimination by carrying out awareness campaign and dog vaccination on regular basis.

He identified weak coordination of fight against rabies at the subnational level as a challenge militating against rabies control in the country.

Muhammed said that rabies was one of the deadliest tropical zoonoses and one of the six disease prioritised in the animal health sector.

According to him, the 2018 Nigeria Centre for Disease Control report shows that no fewer than 10,000 dog-bite incidences in Nigeria  are documented per annum with over 1,600 deaths.

He said the best way to go in achieving the set target was to collaborate with traditional rulers and intensify awareness on the danger pose by rabies and its preventive measure.

Muhammed listed other challenges militating against rabies elimination as inadequate laboratory diagnostic capacity especially in the human sector, limited access to vaccines and support in rural areas.

Others, according to him, are poor funding for rabies programme with high cost of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), little awareness on anti-rabies vaccines and PEP as well as inadequate legislation.

He identified the way forward as stronger collaborative efforts by major stakeholders the ministries of agriculture, health and environment as well as private sector, stronger engagement and linkage with states and local governments.

Also, Dr Chinna-Joe Iruobe, Chairman NVMA FCT Chapter, said rabies was a deadly zoonotic viral disease known to man.

“It is zoonotic in nature; affecting all warm blooded animals and man and is mostly transmitted by domestic and wild canidae through the bite of an infected animal mostly dogs and cats.

“Rabies is deadly and accounts for about 59,000 human deaths annually, however it is of essence to note that it is preventable when our dogs and cats are adequately vaccinated annually and kept on leash, ” she said.

Speaking on the theme, Iruobe said the association was partnering with  LMS, NCDC, Federal Ministry of Health, Environment and Agriculture and Food Security to ensure elimination of rabies menace by 2030. (NAN)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Felicia Imohimi

Dr Ifeanyi Ogbu, the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) FCT Chapter, has called for the establishment of veterinary medical centres in all Local Government Areas in the country.

Ogbu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja in commemoration of the World Rabies Day, observed every year on Sept. 28.

He said such measure would ensure prompt response to rabies cases at the grassroots and curb it prevalence.

The veterinarian said the implication of the move is that veterinary doctors would be at the reach of the populace at grassroots where the virus emanate.

NAN reports that World Rabies Day “All for 1- One Health for All” as theme.

Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite.

Animals most likely to transmit rabies in the United States include bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks while In developing countries, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people.

He blamed the prevalence of rabies in the country on non availability of veterinary medical centres at the rural areas describing the challenge as a major gap in rabies prevention.

“We still have rabies prevalence in rural communities because of lack of veterinary medical centres and all this while we have been calling for government intervention.

“When rabies occurs communities will interprete it as mad dog syndrome but is actually rabies that is killing them.

“So we are lacking a touch in grassroots in rabies prevention because of lack of government veterinary facilities which is the major issue now. We are lacking

veterinary care and professionals in the rural communities.

“Most of the professionals when they graduate they head to teaching so there will be no vet left in such places, ” he decried.

The veterinarian further urged the government to improve funding for health sector particularly veterinary medicine in annual budgetary allocation.

He blamed the rate of infectious diseases from animals in the country on poor funding of veterinary health sector.

“Government should intensify health sector funding if they want to pass annual budget, allot a lot of money to it because infectious diseases from animals are rampant in this country.

“There will still be more outbreak of diseases from animals so, government at all levels should map out money for health particularly veterinary medicine, ” he said.

Speaking on the theme he emphasised the need for collaboration between

human medical doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and attendants and veterinary doctors to look at everything happenings in environment and animals as a pointer to human health.

He says “this is because over 78 per cent of the disease that worries man globally are from animals, considering this factor there is need for all stakeholders in health and animal sectors to team up to protect man on the planet.

” The whole essence of the theme is collaboration between stakeholders in animal and human health in the fight against rabies.

“That is if rabies that affect animals particularly dog will end up in affecting man there is need for animal doctors that handles dog and human doctors that handles human to team up to combat this common enemy, ”

NAN reports that World Rabies Day inaugurated in September 2007 was aimed at raising awareness and advocacy for global elimination of the dreaded rabies disease that has been set for 2030.

The day coordinated by the Global Alliance on Rabies Control (GARC) is marked annually on September 28, the anniversary of the death of Frenchman Louis Pasteur. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza