Bauchi State Governor Bala Muhammed Abdulkadir has assured that the state government will not relent in its effort to support any collaboration designed to improve livestock farming for the enhanced economic status of the people of the state.
He stated this at the graduation ceremony as well as the presentation of certificates and working tools to Community Animal Health Workers from Gamawa and Shira Local Governments of the state who were trained on Basic Animal Health Care Services.
The event which was held in Bauchi was a collaborative effort between the State Ministry of Agriculture and the Pastoral Resolve PARE with the aim to showcase the contributions of the project towards the development of livestock value chain and other livelihood activities in the state.
Bala Muhammed acknowledged the contributions of local and international donor partners to the state, stressing that such efforts would improve the socio-economic wellbeing of people of the state particularly youth and women in rural areas.
The Governor was represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Barr. Jidauna Mbami Tula said the training will help in reducing the menace of unqualified Animal Health Workers which led to herders and other livestock farmers heavy loss due to poor diagnosis and mistreatment of animals by quacks.
Bala Muhammad noted that the state has many youth grandaunts in Animal Health and Production who were rendering such services as a means of livelihood in their communities, maintained that the training would help in creating jobs for them.
In his address, the Executive Member of the Pastoral Resolve, and a Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Professor JD Amin said the project is supported by Oxfam International and sponsored by Global Affairs Canada over the years is being implemented in livestock value chain development in various parts of the two local government areas of the state.
Prof. JD Amin appealed to the governments at all levels to increase investment and budgetary allocation for optimum results, calling on the private sector and non-governmental organizations to increase partnership on youth empowerment and poverty reduction initiatives to reduce social vices in the society.
Also speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Alhaji Jibrin Yakubu Abdullahi commended the Pastoral Resolve and other donor partners for the support to the state and assured of judicious use of the tools provided.
WikkiTimes recalled that in February 2021, Governor Bala launched the state annual livestock vaccination campaign at Galambi Cattle Ranch, stating that the state government approved the release of N32m for the conduct of the exercise.
