By Saidu Adamu, Jalingo
The President, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr Moses Arokoya, has said that 65 per cent of human diseases in Nigeria were livestock related.
Arokoya made the declaration on Monday at the 61 Annual National Congress/Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NVMA holding in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State.
He noted that zoonotic diseases were on the increase in Nigeria, adding that 2.7 million lives were globally lost annually due to zoonotic diseases.
He said that the choice of Taraba for the conference was strategic, noting that a Disease Free Zone (DFZ) would be established on the Mambilla Plateau, Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba.
The president added that the eradication of diseases from Mambilla Plateau would cause the production of large metric tones of fresh meat that may qualify for export that would generate foreign exchange for the country.
Arokoya said that more DFZ were needed in the country to make livestock production an economic stimulus.
The president further decried the state of abattoirs in Nigeria, adding that poor abattoirs have enhanced microbial resistance as most Nigerians consumed drugs used in the treatment of livestock before they were being slaughtered.
He said that modern abattoirs were needed in the 774 local government areas to address the menace.
He commented President Bola Tinubu for the reforms in the livestock sector, adding that the veterinarians needed an empowerment from the federal government to enhance their performance.
Arokoya also requested the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to include them on their disaster intervention Policy.
He stressed the need to include veterinarians in the preparedness and response strategies for emergencies.
It will be recalled that the local organizing committee earlier announced the commencement of the conference which was to start on Oct. 25, 2025 in Jalingo.
