Ekiti plans modern vet hospital, intensifies anthrax vaccination
The Ekiti State Government has announced plans to establish a modern veterinary hospital to enhance animal healthcare services while intensifying its ongoing mass vaccination campaign against anthrax.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the proposed hospital would be equipped with a fully functional laboratory to improve disease diagnosis, treatment, and overall livestock health.
“The facility will enhance the capacity of our animal health providers to offer quality veterinary services and conduct proper diagnostic tests. This will be crucial for accurate disease identification, improved treatment outcomes, increased productivity, reduced economic losses, and improved food safety,” Boluwade stated.
He made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti on Saturday during a sensitisation programme on the two-week free mass vaccination exercise for livestock across the state’s 16 local government areas.
The vaccination campaign, which began on January 28 at Gaa Alhaji Bayo along the Igede-Aramoko Road, is a proactive measure to prevent the spread of anthrax to Ekiti State.
The initiative falls under the World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, in collaboration with the state government.
Boluwade reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the livestock sector, saying, “Anthrax can have devastating consequences on our livestock population and economy. This vaccination drive, alongside our plans for a modern veterinary hospital, underscores our resolve to protect both animals and humans from zoonotic diseases.”
L-PRES State Project Coordinator, Mr Olayinka Adedipe, emphasised the importance of the vaccination exercise, urging livestock owners across communities to present their cattle, goats, and sheep for inoculation.
“Anthrax is a deadly zoonotic disease that affects both animals and humans. This mass vaccination aims to safeguard public health by preventing outbreaks that could severely impact the livestock industry and food security,” Adedipe said.
The Ekiti State Government reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging agriculture as a driver for industrialisation, food security, and economic prosperity, with enhanced veterinary care and disease prevention as key components of its agenda.
