Also, Lawan flagged off the fifth annual medical outreach for his people in Yobe North which is being sponsored by his foundation, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan Foundation (SAIL).
By Jeffery Agbo
Senate President Ahmad Lawan has flagged off the Free Mass Animal Vaccination which he sponsors every year, since 2018, for his constituents in Yobe North Senatorial District, Yobe State.
At the ceremony which was held on Saturday at Jajuwa in Jakusko Local Government Area, Lawan made a strong case for those engaged in the livestock business to be assisted by the Federal Government.
In his remarks, Lawan said: “It is our belief here that the livestock industry in Nigeria is one of the biggest contributors to the economy of Nigeria.
“And it is only fair that the livestock industry is supported by the government because we benefit immensely from this sector of our economy and it is unfair for anyone to say that the livestock industry is a private business and therefore should not be supported. That is unfair.
“We have so many private businesses including banks that are supported by the government. And therefore our livestock sector and those who man it deserve the support of the government, particularly the Federal Government.
“And I will push for that, that this industry is supported by the government to ease the problems that those who run the industry suffer from time to time.
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“Today we are here to flag off the livestock vaccination for our livestock, our cattle, cows, our sheep, our goats and other smaller animals.
“This has been an annual event and this year is no different. Last year we set a target of about a million cows and about 500 smaller animals like sheep and goats particularly. This year we are going to do the same or even slightly higher than that in number.
“What is also different this year is that we are going to increase our support to our Fulani herdsmen and livestock rearers.”
The free Veterinary Services cover Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP), Peste Petits des Ruminants(PPR) and treatment and medication of minor illnesses.
Also, the Senate President flagged off the fifth annual medical outreach for his people in Yobe North which is being sponsored by his foundation, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan Foundation (SAIL).
The outreach, which was also started in 2018, covers free medical services for eye treatment, surgical services, gynaecological checkups and surgeries for families and free screening for clinical cancer for women.
Lawan flagged off the programme for this year at the Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Gashua and Federal Medical Centre, Nguru.
The Senate President said this year’s outreach would accommodate about 5000 beneficiaries for various ailments.