UK supports recruitment, training of 300 community animal health workers in Jigawa
By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse
Jigawa State Government in collaboration with Propcom, a UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) funded project and National Veterinary Council, has recruited, trained and equipped 300 mobile Community Animal Health Workers in the state.
Speaking at the event for the graduation and distribution of motorcycle and animal healthcare kits to the trainees, the state Governor Malam Umar Namadi said, the program was aimed at promoting animal health and animal production in the state.
He said, “Jigawa state is one of the leading states in Nigeria in terms of livestock production but a gap in access to animal healthcare services has been negatively affecting the development of the sector over the years.
“In an effort to address the challenges, provide enabling environment for livestock production development, we collaborated with our partners in recruiting, training and equipping 300 Community Animal Health Worker to provide veterinary clinic services across the state.
“I am optimistic that, the program will enhance livestock production, food security jobs creation, poverty eradication and also prevent Animal disease outbreak, therefore we will do everything possible to make it work effectively and sustainable for better results,” Governor Namadi declared.
In his speech, the technical Adviser to the Jigawa state governor on Agriculture, Dr Saifullahi Umar said, the trained mobile Community Animal Health Workers will provide veterinary services across the 287 political wards in the state.
In her speech at the occasion, the country representative of Propcom+ projects, Dr Adya Ode commended the efforts of the Jigawa state government in promoting animal healthcare services in line with global best practices and described the effort as very encouraging.
According to her, access to veterinary clinic services will prevent animal disease outbreaks as well as human disease outbreaks, enhancing production of nutritious food and wealth creation for growth and development.
“Animal Health plays a critical role in ensuring food security, economic stability, and public health,” Adya stated.
However, the representative of National Veterinary Council, Dr Helen, described the Jigawa state effort in enhancing veterinary services in the state as first of its kind in Nigeria and called on other states to emulate.
Dr Helen assured the Jigawa state government that the National Veterinary Council will continue to support the state to bridge the gap in the area of veterinary services through manpower training and technical advice.
