From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor Dr Nasir Idris has kicked off the construction of the largest veterinary hospital in Nigeria, which was abandoned 13 years ago by previous administrations.
It was gathered that the veterinary hospital, sited along Birnin Kebbi–Kalgo road on about ten hectares of land, is designed to accommodate various units such as surgical, ultrasound, laboratory, administrative, admission, and livestock feed storage units with various veterinary doctors and other modern equipment.
While addressing newsmen after inspecting the ultramodern veterinary hospital, Kebbi State Commissioner for Animal Health, Husbandry and Fisheries, Alhaji Kabir Usman Alaramma, disclosed that the hospital, which is the largest in the country, would be commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu immediately it is completed.
According to him, “Let me appreciate the efforts of the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, for completing this project that was abandoned for 13 years. As you all know, this hospital is the largest in the whole of Nigeria, not only in the northern states. We have potential in the area of livestock, and that is the main reason the Governor wants to improve the standard when it comes to the livestock sector. As you are all aware, we have the largest livestock population in the country. We have the Director of Animal Husbandry, Director of Veterinary Public Health, and Director of Ranch Management, who is in charge of all ranches and livestock routes in the state.
“As we explained to the Federal Ministry of Livestock, we have 25 state grazing reserves in Kebbi State, we have 12 livestock routes in the state. We also have 74 LGAs grazing reserve routes. That is why the Governor is looking at how to improve the economic wellbeing of the state through investing in this veterinary hospital.
“We also have 76 livestock markets in Kebbi State. Some are international markets. Kebbi State has the largest potential in the livestock sector in Nigeria.
“So, our mission for this hospital is to ensure that it serves as the reference centre in Nigeria, which would improve the standard of livestock in the country. Our livestock farmers in the state would acquire new modern systems of rearing livestock so that they could transform from the old system of livestock farming to the modern way of rearing livestock so that, in the end, we could improve our dairy production and beef production in the sector.”
Alaramma confirmed that the completion of the hospital will be early next year (2026) and stressed that the Governor would invite the President and the Minister to commission the project for the entire world to know what Kebbi State is doing in the livestock sector.
Earlier, Director of Veterinary Services at the Ministry, Dr Alheri Ibrahim Senchi, disclosed that the animal hospital would not only be a reference point but a special place where all academic institutions would train their students undergoing practical exercises.
Speaking on the partnership of the state with Brazil, Senchi noted that the Brazilian Government has realised the potential of the state in the livestock sector.
“For Brazil to partner with Nigeria, through Kebbi State, means that they recognise the richness of livestock in Kebbi State. They also recognise our resources and manpower to provide excellent health and wellbeing of our animals. It is well known that if you want to export your beef to any country, it has to be certified by the appropriate agency to meet international standards.
“They are aware that we have the capacity to ensure that our animals are fit for human consumption. What that speaks for us is that, as far as veterinary services are concerned, our laboratory is part of the arteries of artificial insemination. Because when you collect a semen sample, you must be able to process it, properly keep it so that it can be used to provide what is necessary to ensure successful insemination. All these processes would be found in our new ultramodern veterinary hospital.”
Also, the contractor handling the project and Managing Director, S. Fulani and Sons Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa, appreciated Governor Idris for mobilising them back to the site after 13 years of redundancy.
He said the governor was highly instrumental in completing abandoned projects across the state, saying, “Ours is one of such projects abandoned for many years.”
Kiruwa noted that the project was not only important to Fulani people but was also highly significant to all livestock farmers, including those rearing pigs.
While promising to complete the project within the stipulated period, the contractor advised Fulani and other livestock farmers in the state to seize the opportunity of the facility to improve their livelihood and to enable them to shift from traditional ways of rearing animals and embrace modern livestock farming.