NEWS
FG Declares War against Rabies, Reaffirms Commitment to Elimination by 2030
By Raphael Atuu, Abuja
The Federal Government has declared a renewed war against rabies, reaffirming its commitment to eliminate the deadly but preventable disease by the year 2030, in line with the global target.Speaking at the Joint Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate World Rabies Day 2025, held at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said rabies remains one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases affecting Nigerians but stressed that government is determined to stamp it out through the One Health approach.
“Government alone cannot win this battle. It requires you, me, and our communities working hand in hand. Together, we can make Nigeria rabies-free,” the Minister declared.He noted that his Ministry has already begun rolling out nationwide vaccination campaigns for dogs and cats, alongside intensified public sensitisation programmes, in addition to strengthening veterinary services, particularly in underserved communities.“Our approach is deliberate: to ensure that no family suffers the needless pain of losing a loved one to rabies,” he added.Underscoring the importance of partnerships, the Minister reiterated that rabies eradication is central to Nigeria’s livestock development agenda and food security goals.He reassured that Nigeria is committed to meeting the global target of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 and called on state governments, local councils, veterinary professionals, and community leaders to align with the national rabies elimination plan.Similarly, representatives of the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, and the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, also delivered remarks, pledging their Ministries’ full support for rabies elimination under the One Health platform.The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, who was represented by the Director of Planning Research and Statistics, Stephen Ohaeri, noted that while rabies is almost 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear, it is also 100 percent preventable through vaccination and responsible pet ownership.She added that the Ministry is prioritising capacity building for veterinary officers, expanding diagnostic facilities, and ensuring that states have the technical support they need to respond to outbreaks. “We will not relent until rabies is eliminated from our borders. The health of our animals is directly tied to the wellbeing of our people,” she affirmed.International partners, professional associations, and civil society representatives delivered goodwill messages praising Nigeria’s leadership in mass vaccination campaigns and pledging technical support and expanded access to vaccines for the country’s anti-rabies drive.The World Rabies Day 2025 also brought together veterinary professionals, health experts, academia, and the media to raise awareness on the prevention of rabies and to highlight the government’s strategic plan for achieving a rabies-free Nigeria.
By David Torough, Abuja
The founders and Senior Pastors of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), Dr. Paul and Dr. (Mrs.) Becky Enenche, have successfully trained and empowered 100 individuals in agribusiness as part of their commitment to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
Dr.
Paul Enenche made the announcement during the church’s Thanksgiving and Testimony Service on Sunday, highlighting the initiative as a strategic effort to promote self-reliance and agricultural productivity.According to the cleric, each beneficiary will be allocated at least one hectare of farmland to commence farming activities upon completion of the training programme.
He further disclosed that the beneficiaries will receive monthly stipends to support them until their agricultural produce is ready for harvest.Dr. Enenche noted that the training and empowerment programme represents a significant investment, with each participant’s training costing approximately ₦500,000.
The beneficiaries, who constitute Batch A of the Entrepreneurship Agribusiness Training Programme, graduated from the C.S.S. Farm and Skills Acquisition Centre located along the Keffi–Abuja Road. The entire programme was fully sponsored by Dr Paul,Dr (Mrs.) Becky Enenche and the church as part of their ongoing efforts to empower individuals with practical skills and sustainable means of livelihood.
The initiative reflects the church’s commitment to transforming lives through both spiritual and socio-economic empowerment.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general election, saying INEC has no candidate or political party to favour.
In a post obtained from INEC’s X handle on Sunday, Amupitan stated this during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb.
Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of the commission’s stakeholder engagement and preparations for the 2027 elections.The visit formed part of activities surrounding INEC’s planned interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment at the zonal level.
The INEC chairman was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Technical Assistant, Chief of Staff, Special Aides and other senior officials of the commission.
Amupitan described traditional institutions as important stakeholders in the electoral process because of their influence and reach within communities.
He said elections were fundamentally about the social contract between citizens and those entrusted with public office, stressing that public trust was essential to the success of democracy.
According to him, INEC has commenced preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections across Nigeria.
He said the commission had moved away from last-minute preparations and was testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems well ahead of the 2027 polls.
Amupitan assured the Emir that INEC remained committed to neutrality, fairness and transparency in the conduct of elections.
“We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria,” the INEC chairman said.
He added that the commission would continue engaging traditional institutions and other stakeholders as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Kano State Command, has deployed personnel to Garko Local Government Area to track and contain dogs suspected to be infected with rabies.
The service said the suspected rabid dog had bitten 18 people in Garko and its environs.
The NFSS State Commander, Abdullahi Al’ameen, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Usman Abdullahi-Umar, on Sunday in Kano.
Al’ameen said: “The command received a distress report at about 2 p.m. that a dog suspected to be rabid has attacked residents in Garko town.
“The dog has so far bitten 11 persons in Garko town before moving to neighbouring communities, including Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai.
“It has also attacked and bitten seven additional persons in the affected communities.”
The commander further explained that they had received another report that two more dogs had been infected with rabies in the area.
Al’ameen said personnel of NFSS Garko Division, under the leadership of the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, had been deployed to the affected areas to track and contain the infected dogs.
He urged residents of Garko and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and report sightings of stray or suspected rabid dogs to the nearest NFSS office or other security agencies.
The commander also advised residents who might have been bitten by suspected rabid dogs to seek immediate medical attention.
Al’ameen assured residents that the NFSS would continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to prevent further attacks.(NAN)
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