By Muhammad Sani Muazu
The Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, has commenced a two-day capacity-building workshop for veterinarians, paraveterinarians, and community animal health workers. The event, held at Supreme Nest Apartment in Bauchi from December 3 to 4, 2024, focuses on enhancing effective disease surveillance through the One-Health Approach.
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Simon Madugu Yalams, emphasized the significance of continuous training and retraining for animal health professionals. He noted that disease surveillance remains pivotal in preventing and managing outbreaks, especially diseases with economic and zoonotic importance, such as bovine tuberculosis, bird flu, and Lassa fever.
“Through effective disease surveillance, professionals can track infections, determine their presence, and advise the government on appropriate measures to mitigate risks. This is crucial for ensuring public health, food security, and economic growth,” he said.
Professor Yalams urged participants to maximize the knowledge shared during the workshop and step it down to their colleagues to enhance service delivery to livestock farmers, particularly in rural areas. He lauded the L-PRES project for its commitment to strengthening the livestock value chain and pledged the ministry’s continued support for capacity development initiatives.
The Project Coordinator for L-PRES, Musa Adamu One, also delivered a welcome address, outlining the objectives of the training. These include educating participants on the principles and importance of disease surveillance, equipping them with practical skills for surveillance activities, and fostering collaboration among veterinary professionals.
“The L-PRES project is dedicated to improving livestock productivity, commercialization, and resilience while enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to respond to emergencies. This training aligns with these goals by promoting biosecurity, efficient control measures, and knowledge sharing among stakeholders,” he stated.
The workshop will cover key areas such as principles of disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and response, biosecurity, and vaccination protocols. Participants expressed optimism that the training would enhance their expertise and contribute to improved animal health management across Bauchi State.
The event underscores Bauchi State’s commitment to leveraging modern approaches in animal health to safeguard public health and boost the state’s livestock sector.