The Gombe State Government has received more than 200,000 doses of vaccine,  through the National Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, to combat critical animal diseases affecting farmers across the state, and boost agricultural income.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya made this known while receiving the consignment at the Veterinary Clinic and Solar-Powered Cold Chain Facility in Tashan Dukku, Gombe, describing the intervention as a key pillar of the state’s agricultural development strategy.

Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr Barnabas Musa Malle, thanked the L-PRES National Office for prioritising Gombe State in its livestock resilience programme.

He said the newly delivered vaccines would complement the state’s annual mass vaccination exercise, noting that Gombe had earlier procured Anthrax vaccines with support from the L-PRES Project.

“Today, vaccines for Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Newcastle Disease and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia have been delivered,” Dr Malle said.

“Although Gombe has a large livestock population, these doses will significantly strengthen our vaccination coverage. His Excellency is also considering procuring additional vaccines to ensure broader reach.”

He assured farmers and stakeholders that the vaccines would be carefully deployed and effectively utilised through collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and the L-PRES Project.

Providing details of the consignment, the L-PRES National Coordinator, Dr Sanusi Abubakar, represented by Dr Sadik Abubakar Usman, explained that the shipment included 150,000 doses ofContagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, 50,000 doses ofNewcastle Disease, and 4,000 doses ofFoot-and-Mouth Disease.

“These vaccines are aimed at controlling transboundary animal diseases and improving overall livestock productivity,” he said, adding that an additional batch for Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) would soon arrive in the state.

The Gombe State L-PRES Project Coordinator, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, described the intervention as vital to the state’s agricultural economy, stressing that preventive healthcare remains the most cost-effective approach for livestock farmers.

He revealed plans to establish a technical working group to oversee the vaccination exercise. 

He urged herders and farmers to present their animals, emphasising that the programme is free, safe and professionally managed.

To maintain vaccine potency, the doses will be stored at the newly established solar-powered cold chain facility provided by the Gombe State L-PRES Project, ensuring quality preservation throughout the vaccination campaign.

Source: Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation