From Ben Adaji Jalingo
President of Nigerian Vetinarry Medical Association, NVMA, Dr Moses Arokoya said about 65 percent of human diseases in Nigeria are livestock related.
Arokoya disclosed this yesterday at the 61st Annual National Congress/Annual General Meeting of NVMA held in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
He noted that zoonotic diseases are on the increase in Nigeria, adding that 2.7 million lives are lost annually globally due to zoonotic diseases.
He said the choice of Taraba for the conference was strategic, noting that a Disease Free Zone, DFZ, would be established in the Mambilla Plateau, Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba.
The president added that the eradication of diseases from Mambilla Plateau would ensure the production of large metric tones of fresh meat that may qualify for export and generate foreign exchange for the country.
Arokoya said more DFZs are needed in the country to make livestock production an economic stimulus.
The president decried the state of abbatoirs, adding that they have enhanced microbial resistance, as most Nigerians consume drugs used in the treatment of livestock before they are being slaughtered.
He said modern abbatoirs are needed in the 774 local government areas to address the menace.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for the reforms in the livestock sector, adding that vetinerians need empowerment from the federal government to enhance their performance.
Arokoya also requested the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to include them in their disaster intervention policy.
He stressed the need to include vetinerians in the preparedness and response strategies for emergencies.
It would be recalled that the local organising committee earlier announced the commencement of the conference on October 25 in Jalingo.
