The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has honoured Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State with an Award of Excellence for his administration’s commitment to livestock transformation and animal health.
The award was presented during a symposium organised by the NVMA to commemorate the 2025 World Rabies Day, held in Gombe on Tuesday.
NVMA National President, Dr Moses Arokoyo, said the association’s decision to host the event in Gombe was informed by the governor’s sustained investment in the livestock sector.
“We were inspired to bring this year’s commemoration to Gombe because His Excellency has taken giant strides in livestock development.
“His vision to establish an Agro-Livestock Development Zone, featuring an ultra-modern abattoir, international livestock market, and veterinary facilities, stands as a model for other states,” Arokoyo said.
He said the award was a vote of confidence in the Yahaya-led administration and urged the state government to sustain the momentum.
“Our desire is to encourage His Excellency to expand these efforts. We believe in what he is doing and are excited by the progress made,” he added.
Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr Barnabas Malle, reiterated the administration’s commitment to public and animal health.
He said the government had implemented key projects, including annual vaccination campaigns, renovation of veterinary hospitals in Gombe, Dukku, and Kaltungo, and the establishment of a cold chain facility for vaccine storage.
According to him, the veterinary diagnostic laboratory in the state has also been rehabilitated to strengthen disease surveillance and response.
Malle said work was ongoing on the Gombe Agro-Livestock Development Zone, which would include a tannery, leather processing factory, grain market, and livestock feed market, among others.
The commissioner assured that the state government would continue to collaborate with stakeholders and development partners to combat rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
As part of the event, the NVMA flagged off a free anti-rabies vaccination campaign to promote animal and human health, in line with the One Health approach.
