By Muhammad Sani Mu’azu
The President of the Animal Welfare Society of Nigeria (AWSON), Prof. Mohammed Sanusi, has reiterated the organisation’s commitment to improving animal welfare standards across Nigeria.
He made this remark during his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the maiden training on animal welfare for students of Colleges of Agriculture, which took place from September 23rd to 26th, 2024, at the Bauchi State College of Agriculture (BSCOA), Yelwa, Bauchi.
Prof. Sanusi highlighted the historical significance of the event, noting that AWSON, a voluntary non-governmental organization registered in Bauchi since 2007, has been actively engaged in promoting animal welfare through education, advocacy, public awareness, and legislative measures.
He emphasized that the organization is dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals across the country.
“This training marks the beginning of a series of sessions targeting young and fresh graduates from colleges of agriculture and universities in Nigeria. Apart from being one of our major objectives, this initiative is aimed at imparting basic knowledge and skills related to animal welfare, thereby motivating participants to function more effectively in their future careers,” Prof. Sanusi said.
The training, which is the first in a series, involved 60 students from Bauchi State College of Agriculture (BSCOA) Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi and Sa’adu Zungur University Bauchi State (SAZU). Topics covered during the event were carefully selected to address pressing issues related to the deteriorating state of animal welfare in Nigeria.
Prof. Sanusi expressed optimism that the knowledge gained by participants would be passed on to livestock farmers and other stakeholders, especially in rural areas. He added that AWSON’s long-term goal is to train as many students of agriculture and animal science as possible across the country.
During his speech, the AWSON President called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to consider introducing a mandatory animal welfare course for all graduating students of animal-related disciplines. He noted that AWSON is ready to collaborate with these regulatory bodies in designing such a program to enhance animal welfare education.
The event drew participation from AWSON representatives across various states and other stakeholders, who are also committed to the cause of animal protection in Nigeria.
Prof. Sanusi extended his gratitude to the Bauchi State College of Agriculture for hosting the event and providing facilities free of charge, and to the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), which supported the training financially.
Speaking at the event, the Bauchi State commissioner of agriculture Prof. Simon Madugu Yalams, emphasized the significance of the training, particularly for the state’s livestock sector. “This training for me is a journey close to home because animal welfare is something we are responsible for in the ministry. We are in full support because of the importance we attach to this aspect. Livestock development is our pride, and we are happy to be part of this workshop,” Prof. Yalams said.
He commended the efforts of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for prioritizing the transformation of the agricultural sector, including livestock development.
According to Prof. Yalams, the governor is committed to ensuring that institutions like the Bauchi State College of Agriculture play a key role in advancing agriculture across the state.
Also speaking at the event, Barrister Abdulkadir Garba of Annor Chambers Bauchi, who delivered a lecture on animal welfare legislation, stressed the need for stronger laws to protect animals from cruelty. “As I said during my lecture, there is no specific legislation concerning animal welfare. I urge both the federal and state governments to address this gap, as the maltreatment of animals is widespread,” Barrister Garba said.
He called on AWSON to take the issue to the National and State Assemblies to push for laws that regulate animal welfare and to create awareness among law enforcement agencies about animal rights. “It is important that people know that cruelty to animals is an offense that can attract punishment, and even imprisonment. AWSON should lead the way in ensuring this happens,” Barrister Garba urged.
He further advised that people should gain more knowledge on how to properly care for animals, pointing out that animals deserve to be treated with the same care and respect as humans. “The way we treat ourselves is how we should treat animals because they have life just like we do,” he added.
In closing, Prof. Sanusi emphasized the importance of collaboration and encouraged individuals, NGOs, and institutions join AWSON’s efforts to improve animal welfare across Nigeria.
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