The Kwara State Government has received 230,000 doses of vaccines under the World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) to strengthen animal disease control and improve livestock productivity.
The vaccines, comprising 200,000 doses of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) vaccines and 30,000 doses of Newcastle Disease vaccines, were received on Friday at the State Veterinary Clinic in Ilorin.
The vaccines were received on behalf of the Kwara L-PRES Project Coordinator, Mr. Olusoji Oyawoye, by the Project Animal Health Officer, Dr. Bukola Richards.
The intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s nationwide efforts to control major animal diseases, strengthen veterinary services and safeguard livestock production.
According to a statement by the L-PRES Animal Health Services Specialist, Dr. Mustapha Mohammed, issued on behalf of the National Project Coordinator, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development procured the vaccines through L-PRES to improve animal health, boost livestock productivity and enhance food security.
The statement explained that the intervention targets two major animal diseases with significant implications for agricultural production, farmers’ livelihoods and the sustainability of livestock enterprises.
Speaking on the development, the Kwara L-PRES Project Coordinator, Mr. Olusoji Oyawoye, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the National L-PRES Coordination Office and other partners for facilitating the procurement and allocation of the vaccines.
He assured the stakeholders that the vaccines would be used judiciously for their intended purposes to maximise the benefits of the intervention.
Peste des Petits Ruminants is a highly contagious viral disease that affects sheep and goats, often causing severe illness, high mortality and substantial financial losses to livestock farmers.
Newcastle Disease, on the other hand, poses a major threat to poultry production, potentially causing widespread bird deaths and undermining the profitability of poultry businesses.
The provision of the vaccines underscores the importance of preventive veterinary care in building a resilient livestock sector, particularly as animal diseases continue to threaten production, trade and food security.
Through L-PRES, the Federal Government is implementing interventions aimed at strengthening livestock value chains, improving animal health management and enhancing the capacity of livestock producers to withstand production-related shocks.
The vaccine allocation is expected to support disease prevention efforts in Kwara State, protect livestock investments and contribute to the broader national drive to improve animal production and food security.
