Gov Kefas Hails NVMA, Says Taraba’s Selection as AGM Host “No Mistake”
By Henry Agbu
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has described the choice of Taraba as the host for the 61st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) as “no mistake,” noting that the state remains a strategic hub for livestock development in Nigeria.
Governor Kefas stated this while declaring open the AGM in Jalingo.
He was represented by the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the veterinary profession and promoting animal health, emphasizing the critical role veterinarians play in ensuring meat safety, protecting animals, and boosting the economy.
The governor further disclosed that his administration has completed the Jalingo abattoir and has put in place mechanisms to foster peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in the state.
In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Anzaku, commended the association for sustaining the intellectual tradition of the AGM, describing it as a platform for reflection, innovation, and professional renewal.
Dr. Anzaku highlighted that the mandate of the newly created ministry is to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector into a resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive industry.
He added that this vision aligns with the responsibilities of veterinarians, who play a vital role in safeguarding animal health, ensuring food safety, and protecting public health.
Earlier in his address, the NVMA President, Dr. Moses Arokoya, described Nigeria as a “livestock powerhouse” with over 400 million animals — a vast resource capable of transforming the nation’s economy and ensuring food self-sufficiency.
He revealed that as of 2023, Africa had about 522 million goats, with Nigeria accounting for about 89 million, meaning that one in every six goats on the continent is found in Nigeria.
However, he lamented that the country’s enormous livestock potential contrasts sharply with the limited human resource capacity in the sector.
The event featured a keynote address delivered by the representative of the Niger State Governor, Umar Mohammed Bago, as well as goodwill messages from the Aku Uka , Manu Ishaku Adda Ali, and the Taraba State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Namessan Oliver, among others.
