The Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has urged the government to cede veterinary activities like decontamination and vaccination of animals to private veterinary doctors to ensure effective veterinary practices in the country.
Dr. Adetuberu Olutoyin, the newly elected President of the association made the call at the handover ceremony by the old exco of the association on Saturday, in Abuja.
Olutoyin noted that such measure would enable government to formulate better policies regarding veterinary services across the country.
“Government should cede certain activities to the private veterinarians.
“While the government officers go for inspection, the actual activities should be carried out by private veterinarians who will generate data in turn for the government to work on and make better policies,” she said.
The president, specifically commended the Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services for the initiative of the Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement (REDISSE) Project.
REDISSE PROJECT is to strengthen national and regional cross-sectoral capacity for collaborative disease surveillance and epidemic preparedness in West Africa; among others.
According to her, the REDISSE project has engaged several veterinarians for disease surveillance to serve in low veterinary employed states.
In her acceptance speech, she said, her goal was to ensure happiness of veterinarians in the country and the diaspora through partnership with government organization’s and institutions with private veterinarians.
The president further noted that she would ensure the actualization of decision by the Agricultural Council since 2011 to establish Primary Animal Healthcare System in the 774 local government areas of the country.
Olutoyin, therefore, called for more partnership with government organizations and other institutions with private veterinarians.
On behalf of the NVMA new executives she expressed profound gratitude to the outgoing executives led by the Acting President, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu, for their commitment and good service to the association.
She promised that the new executives under her leadership would continue in the good strides to take NVMA to enviable heights.
Dr. Olaniran Alabi, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, said that the Primary Animal Health Centre project was being implemented in phases, adding that about eight primary and two secondary centres had been established in different parts of the country.
Alabi assured the association of plans to engage private veterinarians for sanitary mandate by the department of veterinary and pest control services.
Dr. Ezenwa Nwakonobi, Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, commended the outgoing executives for their selfless service to the association..
He, however, charged the new executives to exceed the achievements of the outgoing executives.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other members of NVMA new executives include Dr. Peter Osagie, Vice President, Oladotun Fadipe, Secretary General, Ahmad AliyunAssistant Secretary General,
Others are Lydia Chagwa, Financial Secretary, Dr Alao Mobolaji, Treasurer and Daminabo Gloria, Publicity Secretary.
Ex-officio are Dr. Ibrahim Ado Shehu and Dr. Gloria Daminabo, Publicity Secretary(NAN)
