65% of human diseases in Nigeria are livestock related

From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

Dr Moses Arokoya, President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), has said that 65% of human diseases in Nigeria are livestock related.

Arokoya made the declaration on Monday, October 27, at the 61st Annual National Congress/Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NVMA held in Jalingo.

He noted that zoonotic diseases were on the increase in Nigeria, adding that 2.7 million lives were lost globally annually due to zoonotic diseases.

He said that the choice of Taraba for the conference was strategic, noting that a Disease Free Zone (DFZ) was to be established in the Mambilla Plateau.

The president added that the eradication of diseases from the Mambilla Plateau would cause the production of large metric tonnes of fresh meat.

Arokoya said that more DFZs 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 consume drugs used in the treatment of livestock before they are being slaughtered.

He said that modern abattoirs were needed in the 774 local government areas to address the menace.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for the reforms on the livestock sector, adding that the veterinarians needed empowerment from the federal government.

Arokoya also requested the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to include them in 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 organising committee earlier announced the commencement of the conference which was to start on Saturday, October 25.