…Honours Governor Inuwa with Excellence Award
…Conducts Rabies Free Vaccination Exercise
The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) on Tuesday joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 World Rabies Day with a symposium and free vaccination exercise in Gombe State.
The event, held at Gombe State University in collaboration with the State Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, brought together veterinary professionals, community leaders, and stakeholders to raise awareness on rabies prevention and strengthen advocacy for animal and public health.
Speaking at the occasion, NVMA National President, Dr. Moses Arokoyo, said the association deliberately chose Gombe as the host state due to its high incidence of rabies, which has become a serious concern.
“We were also inspired by the remarkable efforts of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, in transforming the livestock sector.
His vision for an Agro-Livestock Development Zone, featuring ultra-modern abattoir, an international livestock market, modern veterinary facilities, and other structures — represents a giant stride in livestock development.
“It is only natural for us to celebrate and encourage him for these laudable achievements,” Dr. Arokoyo stated.
Dr. Arokoyo further emphasized the urgency of rabies prevention, warning that the disease remains one of the deadliest yet most preventable.
“One death from rabies is one death too many. It is 100% preventable, yet it carries a 99.9% fatality rate once contracted. Today, we are here to raise awareness because there is still no cure,” he cautioned.
He, however, expressed concern over the acute shortage of veterinarians in Gombe State, noting that only eight veterinarians currently serve across its 24 Local Government Areas and Local Development Authorities.
“With so many projects and facilities being developed, it takes human resources to sustain them. We appeal to His Excellency to consider employing more veterinarians, at the very least, one per local government,” the NVMA President urged.
Representing the Governor, Dr. Barnabas M. Malle, Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, reiterated that the health of citizens remains a core priority of the Inuwa-led administration.
He explained that the government recognizes the strong link between animal and human health, which is why annual livestock vaccination has become a consistent policy.
“The government has renovated veterinary hospitals and clinics in Gombe, Dukku, and Kaltungo; established a cold chain facility for vaccine storage and preservation; and rehabilitated the veterinary diagnostics laboratory to enhance disease surveillance,” Dr. Malle disclosed.
He added that the state is currently developing the Gombe Agro-Livestock Development Zone, which will feature a modern abattoir, livestock market, tannery and leather factory, grain market, and livestock feed market, among others.
Also speaking, the keynote speaker, Assoc. Prof. Grace Sabo, drew attention to this year’s theme, “Act Now: You, Me and the Community,” stressing that rabies eradication requires collective responsibility.
She called on all stakeholders to work in harmony to safeguard humanity and protect animal health, particularly against zoonotic diseases that threaten both livestock and people.
The Chairman of the Gombe State chapter of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr. Adamu Hamma Boyi, explained that World Rabies Day is an annual event designed to raise awareness on preventive measures, reflect on progress made, and chart a way forward in the fight against the disease.
He reiterated the need for dog owners to ensure timely and up-to-date vaccination of their pets in order to prevent the dangers of rabies — a zoonotic disease that threatens both animal and human health.
“Rabies is contracted through the bite of an infected dog, after which the virus attacks the victim’s nervous system, leading to abnormal and dangerous behaviors,” he explained.
Dr. Boyi also expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their cooperation and commitment, which contributed to the success of this year’s commemoration.
The commemoration attracted participants including traditional rulers, community leaders, hunters’ associations, sister professional bodies, and other stakeholders.
Highlights of the celebration included the presentation of an award to Governor Yahaya and the official flag-off of a free rabies vaccination exercise, aimed at safeguarding animal and public health across the state.