The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has inaugurated a primary animal health centre to tackle animal diseases such as Anthrax.
The centre which was inaugurated at the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, was constructed by the ministry to provide quality care services for animals and guide against infectious diseases.
According to reports, the centre was handed over to the college on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ernest Umakhihe during the inauguration, said the centre will complement and boost the capacity of the college and the state to effectively provide quality animal health care.
Umakhihe, who spoke through the ministry’s Coordinator in Oyo State, Dr Kakulu Omonele, said the centre would also provide a levelling ground for graduates of the college to compete effectively in their chosen career.
He added that the centre would provide an opportunity for animal health scientists, veterinarians and other stakeholders to find ways to solve animal diseases such as Anthrax.
He said that the handover of the facility to the college was to enhance proper management and utilisation and to ensure its sustainability.
Umakhihe said, “Please ensure that all proper management procedures are put in place and documented appropriately.
“FMARD is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring an enabling learning and working environment for both the students of the college and workers as well.
“The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology Ibadan, Nigeria, as one of the colleges under the coverage of the Ministry has benefited from various infrastructural facilities like other institutions in Nigeria. Dear beneficiaries, sustainability of this infrastructure facility should be a collective effort by ensuring that proper management is upheld”.
Provost of the college, Dr Adekoya Owosinbo, in his remarks, appreciated the ministry for the construction.
He added that the facility would assist the college in training students in the areas of animal health and technology.
Owosinbo said the facility would also impact on the immediate community in mitigating diseases affecting animals and other livestocks in the state.
He maintained that it will also be beneficial to the lecturers of the college in the area of research.