*The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service says it will collaborate with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association on ensutring healthy livestock and safety of animal products in the country

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In a move to ensure the wellbeing of consumers, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has said the regulatory agency will work with the new Executive Committee of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) on the health of livestock and safety of animal products in the country.

ConsumerConnect learnt Dr. Vincent Isegbe, Director-General of NAQS, disclosed this development Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at the ongoing Annual Summit and Investiture of Dr. Olutoyin Adetuberu, the 20th National President of the association, in Abuja, FCT.

The theme of the summit is: “Curbing the menace of Quackery in the Veterinary profession in Nigeria.’’

Meat products

The NAQS Director-General stated that NAQS is saddled with the responsibility of working on creating of disease-free areas in Nigeria.

Dr. Isegbe also noted that the regulatory agency would strengthen collaboration with the NVMA so as to move the profession to an enviable height.

The work of the profession is so diverse including animal health, food safety, feeds, among others, adding that though they were very few if they contributed their quota, they could move the country forward, he said.

The Director-General congratulated Dr. Adetuberu on her investiture as the 20th National President and third female president of the NVMA.

Isegbe described her as “a perfect fit for the position due to her wealth of experience from decades of eventful devotion to the profession.

“NAQS is confident that, with your vision and passion, we can advance our shared interest in raising healthier animals and building the basis for a thriving trade in the animal value chains”.

Aishatu Abubakar-Baju, President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), however, identified professionals as the major problem in the veterinary profession and not outsiders in the country.

Represented by Dr. Bala Muhammed, Vice-President of the Council, Abubakar-Baju decried that most of the veterinarians were not up to date in their registration underscoring the fact that they occupied “a very important position in the profession, agency report said.

“It is an appeal that we can do ourselves very well if only we operate within the ambit of the law, which is one of the ways the profession can thrive in the country.”

The VCN President said: “The Council set a standards and one of the standards is to actually know who is to practice that is exactly what we are doing.

“VCN is not only registering the premises and practice but also the individuals carrying out service will be identified by way of giving them Identity card among others.”

Highpoint of the event was the conferment of the investiture on the NVMA President by the immediate past President, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu.

There was also the presentation of award to the NAQS D-G, Isegbe as well as the Keynote speaker, Dr. Samuel Adeyemi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Soptimal Ventures Limited, for their contribution to the veterinary profession.