L-R: Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, Special to Lagos State Governor on Agriculture, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Tokunbo Emokpae during the commencement of 2022 free mass anti-rabies campaign programme at Lekki, Lagos on Wednesday. Photo: Ministry of Agriculture.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya speaking today at the flag-off ceremony to kick start Y2022 Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination Campaign Program held at the Palace of Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, that though rabies is 100% fatal, it is a preventable viral disease by taking vaccines.
Ms. Olusanya disclosed that Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is however leaving no stone unturned in eradicating the spread of rabies and other communicable diseases in the state. She added that vaccinating our dogs and pets is the most cost effective strategy for preventing rabies while it will also interrupt its transmission.
According to her, “dogs are like children in the house that should be taken special care of, we should not leave our dogs and pets to stray out of the house, we should give them good food at the right time, make sure they take their medication according to the veterinary doctor’s prescription. She added that “Dogs, properly owned and kept provide us with great benefits of companionship, security, health and research amongst others”.
The Commissioner therefore appealed to pet owners as responsible citizens to bring their dogs and cats for the vaccination exercise stressing that the State Government as a responsive Government has made the exercise free of charge for Lagosians.
Also speaking at the event the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola hinted that the State is resolute about ensuring a healthy environment and a healthy people, thus, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is determined to eradicate rabies from Lagos State in order to ensure that the State maintains its megacity status and remains the Lagos of our collective dream.
He implored all animal owners as stakeholders in the State to embrace the window of opportunity that the government is providing by cooperating in ensuring the success of this initiative by coming out in large numbers to vaccinate their animals.
In his goodwill message, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal appreciated the kind gesture brought to Iru Kingdom by the Ministry of Agriculture in making his area the focal point of this initiative; he therefore promised that he would not hesitate to give a helping hand whenever called upon.
While the Guest lecturer Dr. Oluwaseun Oladeinde, Medical Officer of Health, Amuwo-Odofin Local Council Development Area, hinted on the adverse effect of having pets with rabies around, he said the disease is harmful to human being caused by bites and or scratches from infected pets through transmission via saliva to humans, domestic and wild animals, this disease progressively leads to fatal inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord.
He appreciated the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture for always taking a lead in veterinary services across the federation.
Representing the Chairman, Iru / Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, Mrs Modupe Leoso also encouraged all dogs and pet owners to bring them for vaccination whenever such opportunity arise and informed the gathering that the exercise will continue at the designated Local Council Development Areas.
Present at the event are White Cap Chiefs, other chiefs of Iru Land, Directors and members of staff in the Agriculture Ministry, Dr Mark Ofua, Dr Tunji Nasiru, Commonwealth President of Veterinary Association, Mr Njoku Christopher, Vice Chairman, National Association of Animal Health and Production Technology as well as Students from Lagos State Senior Secondary Schools in Iru /Victoria Island.
