Hail

  The Aare of Ofiki Land in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Gbenga Adigun Adeoye Oyetunji Oyinlola II, has commended Governor Seyi Makinde for prioritising livestock development and farmers’ welfare as the state’s ongoing free vaccination campaign extended to Akinyele, Iseyin and Ofiki communities. The monarch gave the commendation at his palace on Wednesday in Ofiki during the continued rollout of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support [L-PRES] Project vaccination exercise. He described the initiative as timely and beneficial to rural communities. “This programme is highly commendable. It shows that the government is paying attention to the needs of livestock farmers and herders in our communities,” he said. Oba Oyinlola added, “When animals are healthy, the people are also healthy, and the economy of our communities improves. We appreciate Governor Makinde for this intervention and we encourage our people to support it.” Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency [OYSADA] and Executive Adviser to the Governor on Agribusiness, Dr. Debo Akande, who was represented by Dr Famakinde Samuel the Animal Health Expert of L-PRES in the state, noted that the vaccination campaign was part of deliberate efforts by the state government to curb animal diseases, improve livestock productivity and strengthen food security. “This vaccination exercise is designed to curb the spread of animal diseases, improve productivity and protect public health across the state,” he said. Akande added that the initiative formed part of a broader national effort under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support [L-PRES] Project. According to him, “We are committed to ensuring that livestock farmers in all local government areas benefit from this initiative. It is part of a wider strategy to reposition the livestock sector for greater economic impact.” Community stakeholders and beneficiaries also expressed support for the programme, describing it as a long-awaited intervention. The youth head of cattle rearers in Iseyin Local Government, Amusat Lateef Kehinde, said the exercise would significantly reduce losses among herders. “This vaccination will help us reduce the loss of our animals. Many of us have suffered losses due to diseases, so this programme is very important to us,” he said. Similarly, the Seriki Fulani of Atisbo Local Government, Abubakar Gizo, commended the government for extending the initiative to grassroots communities. “We appreciate the government for bringing this programme to our doorstep. It will go a long way in protecting our livestock and improving our means of livelihood,” he said. Also speaking, a livestock farmer from Akinyele Local Government, Abdulahi Garba, said the programme would help prevent disease outbreaks. “This initiative gives us confidence as farmers. When our animals are protected, our business is secured,” he said. Another farmer from Akinyele, Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar, urged the government to sustain the intervention. “We want the government to continue this kind of support. It will encourage more people to invest in livestock farming,” he said. The vaccination campaign, which was recently flagged off in Eruwa in the Ibarapa area of the state, is being implemented by OYSADA under the L-PRES initiative to address the growing threat of livestock diseases. Officials said the exercise targets major diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Peste des Petits Ruminants, Foot and Mouth Disease which have continued to affect livestock production and the agricultural value chain. The state government disclosed that the programme would be extended to most local government areas, with a target of between 200,000 and 300,000 livestock farmers. This publication also understands that the the vaccination will aid the interventions are aimed at improving animal healthcare services, boosting agricultural productivity and enhancing food security in Oyo State.