Bird flu, rabies worry veterinary association

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association NVMA has called for a more robust and vigorous approach to the Avian Influenza virus menace and said it should be treated like a national emergency devoid of bottlenecks or bureaucracies. NVMA President Dr. Godwin Abonyi, who made the call at the opening of the annual national summit of the […]

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association NVMA has called for a more robust and vigorous approach to the Avian Influenza virus menace and said it should be treated like a national emergency devoid of bottlenecks or bureaucracies.

NVMA President Dr. Godwin Abonyi, who made the call at the opening of the annual national summit of the Association in Abuja on Wednesday, also called on pet owners to, as a matter of legal and moral obligation; always vaccinate their pets in order to curtail the scourge of rabies.

He also called for youth empowerment and solicited for a deal on behalf of young veterinary graduates in funding their takeoff in livestock production and clinic/ambulatory services as well as reconstruction of the North Eastern part of Nigeria which occupies a pride of place in the livestock and fisheries sector of the economy.

Dr. Abonyi said this year’s summit is coming at a most auspicious moment when the agric sector as the most probable alternative to the dwindling oil fortunes needs to be effectively harnessed to fill the needed gap.