Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has been lauded for swift action and various measures, including sensitisation programmes for relevant stakeholders, to curtail the state’s outbreak of Anthrax.
According to a release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Chairman, Oyo State Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, who Alhaji Bello Yakubu represented, gave the commendation during a sensitisation/media parley on Anthrax, organised by the association in collaboration with Ardor Fulani, butchers association, cattle dealers and other stakeholders.
At the event held at Kara Market, Iseyin, on Friday, Alhaji Ibrahim noted the state government’s effort, stating that the programme was about the safety of lives regarding the Anthrax disease, which affects both animals and human beings.
He commended Governor Makinde for catering to the plight of cattle breeders sometime last year when their animals were vaccinated free of charge.
Ibrahim implored the governor to continue with the gesture to prevent the virus outbreak in Oyo State. He promised the association would also provide all necessary support to curtail the disease.
Speaking further on the effort of the state government, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, affirmed that no case of anthrax had been recorded in Oyo State, as according to him, all hands had been on deck to ensure adherence to safety measures.
Olaleye, who spoke through the Deputy Director/Chief Veterinary Medical Officer in charge of Control Post and Cattle Markets in the ministry, Dr Liadi Adeniran, allayed people’s fears about the outbreak.
He said:” We have been to several places in the state to give sensitisation on the imminence of the Anthrax disease in Oyo State and we thank God that as of today, there has not been any report of anthrax case in Oyo State.
“We want to give kudos to His Excellency for his prompt intervention in line with the collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Agriculture so that we would give a lot of sensitisation to the public.
“We have been able to meet with all the stakeholders in all the cattle markets in the state, informing them of the disease and how to know the symptoms of Anthrax.”
Earlier in his lecture, the Oyo State Epidemiology Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Semiu Akibu, said early detection and vaccination are the most effective preventive measures against Anthrax.
He advised cattle breeders to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious illness or death of their animals to the appropriate authority, adding that prevention is better than cure.
He also enjoined them to always engage in the service of veterinary doctors to keep their animals healthy and safe for consumption.
