NVMA Secretary Says Taraba State Already Benefiting From Hosting AGM
By Henry AgbuÂ
The National Secretary of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr. Japhet Daniel says Taraba State has begun reaping significant benefits from hosting the association’s recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Jalingo.
Dr. Japhet Daniel
Speaking with our correspondent, Daniel noted that this is the first time in the history of Taraba State since its creation from the former Gongola State that such a major veterinary professional gathering has been held in the state.
He explained that the hosting has already created economic opportunities, as many delegates who usually attend similar meetings in other states spent money locally during their stay in Taraba.
He insisted that Taraba State deserved the hosting right, adding that the state has long established a strong precedent in veterinary activities and was well projected during the event.
Dr. Daniel revealed that delegates also visited Gembu, where they saw first-hand the natural potential of the Mambilla Plateau.
According to him, “there was an overflow of economic empowerment” because many of the visiting veterinarians are entrepreneurial, well-connected, and able to identify new opportunities.
He added that one of the permanent secretaries from Edo State expressed surprise at the abundance of untapped opportunities in Taraba State.
Although only a few people were initially budgeted to travel to Gembu, the turnout exceeded expectations with over 155 delegates making the trip.
He described Gembu as “a fertile ground for animal rearing.”
The Secretary also spoke about his emergence as National Secretary, saying the election was keenly contested but that his track record as the former Taraba State NVMA Chairman worked in his favour.
He recalled that during his tenure as State Chairman, he implemented several impactful initiatives, including, establishing a cooperative society through which staff could save money and access soft loans and generating funds that enabled the association to acquire land for members.
He explained that these achievements were submitted to the NVMA headquarters in Abuja, earning Taraba State national recognition.
“No state recorded achievements like Taraba during that period,” he emphasized.
He further revealed that his activities, including disease-control reporting and participation in World Rabies Day campaigns, were submitted internationally.
These reports, he said, were reviewed in Washington D.C., where he was subsequently honoured with the World Animal Health Award in 2022.
He added that under his leadership, Taraba State consistently offered free anti-rabies vaccinations across all local government areas.
These efforts were reported to the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, leading to Taraba becoming the only state in Nigeria to receive a Certificate of Recognition from the United States for its rabies-control initiatives.
He commended Governor agbu kefas for supporting the Annual general meeting
