FG flags off nationwide anti-rabies vaccination in Gombe
Story by Adamu Abubakar KUMO, Gombe
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, in collaboration with the Gombe State Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, has officially flagged off the Nationwide Anti-Rabies Free Mass Vaccination Campaign for dogs and cats, aimed at eliminating rabies-related deaths across the country.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Gombe, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, represented by the Deputy Director Dr. Salome Bawa, described the initiative as a decisive step toward safeguarding public health and achieving the global goal of Zero Human Deaths from Dog-Mediated Rabies by 2030.
Dr. Bawa recalled that the campaign aligns with the spirit of the recently commemorated World Rabies Day on September 28, which brought nations and communities together to renew the fight against one of the world’s deadliest, yet most preventable, zoonotic diseases.
She noted that rabies continues to claim thousands of lives globally each year, with Africa and Asia bearing the highest burden.
“Most victims are children under the age of 15, making rabies not just a health issue, but a tragedy for families and communities,” she added.
Dr. Bawa stressed that rabies is entirely preventable, primarily through the vaccination of dogs and cats, the main carriers of human infections in Nigeria.
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She revealed that out of 26,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines procured for the first phase of the campaign, Gombe State has been allocated 2,500 doses, which, when properly utilised, will significantly reduce the incidence of rabies across the state.
“This flag-off is not just a vaccination exercise; it is a concrete step toward protecting our citizens, saving lives, and reaffirming our collective commitment to health and safety,” she said.
Dr. Salome also commended the Gombe State Government for its proactive response to recent rabies cases through community engagement, public enlightenment, and localised mass vaccination efforts.
She lauded the collaboration between the state government, the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, private veterinarians, and other partners under the One Health framework, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health systems to combat zoonotic diseases effectively.
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“Let us embrace the spirit of ‘You, Me, and the Community.’ Let us work together to ensure that every dog is vaccinated, every suspected case is promptly reported, and no life is lost to this preventable disease”Dr. Bawa emphasised
In his remarks, the Gombe State Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, underscored the importance of community participation in achieving rabies control, noting that the government alone cannot eradicate the disease.
“Rabies elimination requires collective action. Every stakeholder, from dog owners and hunters to community leaders, must take responsibility to ensure that every dog and cat is vaccinated,” he stated.
Dr. Malle lamented that rabies remains a serious threat in Africa and Asia, disproportionately affecting children, but expressed optimism that the sustained vaccination campaign would significantly curb infections in Gombe State.
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Also speaking, the Chairman of the Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria, Gombe State branch, Malam Yusuf, commended both the Federal and State Governments for bringing the campaign closer to communities.
He pledged the association’s full support in mobilising members to present their dogs for vaccination.
Also present at the event are; leadership and members of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, veterinary students, private veterinarians, hunters among others.
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