To prevent the outbreak of anthrax in the state and ensure food security, the Oyo State Government has embarked on a free vaccination exercise for over 88,000 livestock animals within the state.
This vaccination exercise aims to improve livestock productivity and protect animals from being infected.
At the opening campaign exercise in Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, the Chairman of the Steering Committee of Oyo L-PRES, Dr. Debo Akande, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Agency, Mr. Badmus Kolade, charged farmers to engage in the vaccination exercise.
While declaring it “not just a formal exercise,” the Chairman of Oyo L-PRES, who is also the Director General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), said it is a sign of the state government’s commitment to protecting livestock health, communities, and sustaining the economy.
He said, “Anthrax is a serious zoonotic disease that poses significant threats to animal health, human health, and the livelihoods of our livestock farmers. Left unchecked, it can cause sudden deaths in animals, contaminate the environment, and expose communities to grave risks. We cannot afford to be reactive, we must be proactive, and that is why we are gathered here today.
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“This campaign will be rolled out across all high-risk areas, targeting cattle, sheep, and goats. The teams of trained veterinary officers and animal health technologists will work hand-in-hand with community leaders, livestock owners, and other stakeholders to ensure that this exercise is a success.”
Meanwhile, the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has continued to push for growth in agriculture and livestock farming in Oyo State since coming into office in 2019.
Through various programs and support schemes, the state is creating opportunities for farmers and protecting animal health.
One of the major initiatives is the Oyo State Agricultural Micro-Enterprise Scheme, which has registered over 10,000 smallholder farmers.
This scheme helped farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Food Security in Emergency program.
Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub is a project that has attracted both local and international visitors, including the President of Sierra Leone and officials from the African Development Bank.
To coordinate all agricultural activities, the government set up the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA).
This agency helps attract large investors and supports programs like the Start Them Early Program (STEP) in secondary schools and the Youth Agribusiness Incubation Centre in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Over 100 young people have received hands-on training in animal production through these efforts, says the Independent report.
Other key projects include Oyo N-CARES and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), which aim to turn rural areas into thriving economic centers and promote commercial agriculture.
Speaking further, Akande praised the governor’s continued support, especially through the Oyo L-PRES Project.
He announced the donation of 88,000 doses of anthrax vaccines from the national L-PRES office to help protect livestock across the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, represented by Dr. Bello Idris, emphasized the danger of anthrax to both animals and humans. He said the vaccination campaign would boost immunity in animals and help prevent an outbreak.
Dr. Tunde Amole, the Country Representative of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), also addressed farmers on the seriousness of anthrax.
He warned that a single infected animal could wipe out an entire farm and that humans could also be infected.
The event featured the vaccination of animals, awareness campaigns, and meetings with farmers. Many farmers expressed their appreciation to the state government for the timely support.
Notable attendees included L-PRES State Project Coordinator Mr. Kola Kazeem, Project Engineer Engr. Peter Kolawole, representatives from ILRI, livestock industry stakeholders, investors, and veterinary officers.
