The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, has delivered 80,500 doses of critical livestock vaccines aimed at preventing and controlling transboundary animal diseases. The vaccines were distributed on Thursday under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) programme, officials said.
The vaccine stockpile consists of 50,000 doses of the Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) vaccine, 30,000 doses of the Newcastle Disease Vaccine (NDV) and 500 doses of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine, a Punch investigation confirmed.
Receiving the consignment in Ado-Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, described the intervention as a strategic step in the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen animal health systems, boost productivity and protect farmers’ livelihoods.
Boluwade emphasised that effective disease surveillance and control are essential to achieving sustainable food security and improved public health outcomes in the state. He assured that the vaccines would be deployed through coordinated vaccination campaigns to ensure wide coverage across livestock clusters and farming communities in Ekiti.
The State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr. Olayinka Adedipe, highlighted that the vaccine delivery aligns with ongoing efforts to build resilience against cross-border animal diseases. He noted that the project team would collaborate closely with veterinary officers to ensure proper cold-chain management, handling, and effective administration of the vaccines.
Dr. Adedamola Fasoranti, the Director of Veterinary Services in Ekiti, stressed the importance of timely vaccination to prevent outbreaks and reduce livestock mortality. According to Fasoranti, such interventions would not only improve animal health but also enhance productivity across livestock farming sectors.
The National Project Coordinator of the L-PRES programme, Dr. Abubakar Sanusi, commended the Ekiti State Government for its collaboration and preparedness to implement the vaccination programme effectively. Sanusi was represented at the handover event by the Legal Adviser of L-PRES, Mr. Ken Agim.
This delivery underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting state efforts in controlling livestock diseases and enhancing the resilience of the agricultural sector, particularly in regions with high livestock populations.
The vaccination exercise is expected to improve animal health management, boost livestock productivity, and contribute to the overall goal of sustainable livestock development in Ekiti State.
