The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, on Thursday flagged off the Y2022 Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination Campaign Programme for domestic pets, especially dogs and cats, at the Palace of Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal in Iru, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In her address at the ceremony, Ms. Olusanya said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is leaving no stone unturned in eradicating the spread of rabies and other communicable diseases in the State, adding that vaccinating domestic pets is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies and curbing its transmission.
The Commissioner emphasised that although rabies is 100% fatal, it is a viral disease preventable through effective vaccination, urging all pet owners in the State to make their pets, especially dogs and cats, available for the vaccination exercise free of charge.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, maintained that the State is resolute in ensuring a healthy environment and a healthy people, hence, the present administration is determined to eradicate rabies from Lagos State in view of its megacity status.
He implored all domestic pet owners, who are also stakeholders in the State, to embrace the window of opportunity provided and come 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 the Iru Kingdom by the Ministry of Agriculture in making his community the focal point of the initiative, promising that he would not hesitate to give a helping hand whenever called upon.
The Guest Lecturer and Medical Officer, Amuwo-Odofin Local Council Development Area, Dr. Oluwaseun Oladeinde, pointed out the adverse effect of having pets with rabies around, noting that the disease can be contracted by human beings through bites and scratches from infected pets. The infection progressively leads to a fatal inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord.
He commended the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture on the laudable exercise and for always taking a lead in veterinary services across the Federation for the betterment of the citizenry.
Also speaking, the representative of the Chairman Iru/Victoria Local Council Development Area, Mrs. Modupe Leoso, implored all owners of pets in the State to take advantage of the vaccination programme, just as she informed the gathering that the exercise will be held at designated Local Council Development Areas.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion include White Cap Chiefs; Dr. Tunji Nasiru, Commonwealth President of Veterinary Association; Mr. Njoku Christopher, Vice Chairman, National Association of Animal Health and Production Technology, and students from Lagos State Senior Secondary Schools in Iru /Victoria Island LCDA among others.
