By Stephen Adeleye

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Kogi chapter, has urged the state government to employ at least two veterinary doctors per Local Government Area (LGA).

The association said the move would strengthen rabies surveillance and One Health response in the state.

The state Chairman of the association, Dr Tolu Omotugba, made the call on Monday in Lokoja at a news conference to commemorate the 2026 World Rabies Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Rabies Day is celebrated annually on Sept. 28.

The aim is to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating this horrifying disease.

Omotugba said Kogi, with 21 LGAs, large dog population used for hunting and security, and porous borders, could not afford to be complacent on rabies.

According to him, rabies is a disease that is 99.9 per cent fatal once symptoms appear, but 100 per cent preventable.

He said, though veterinary officers in the state civil service were putting in their best, their number was grossly inadequate.

“We have about 28 to 30 veterinary officers currently in the Kogi civil service, which is not enough. Some LGAs do not even have the presence of a veterinary officer.

“Most states in the federation have more than 50 to 100, some about 200.

“We are suggesting a minimum of two per LGA so that they can, at least, do disease reporting, especially for diseases of public health concern.

‘’If the state can do well, they can have as much as five per LGA,” he said.

He expressed concern over the high number of unreported rabies cases in Kogi and across the country.

Omotugba recalled that in 2025, Bassa LGA in Plateau lose 12 lives, including a family of three, to rabies, adding that “a single dog bite, a single scratch, can end a family.”

He said the 2026 theme, “Stronger Together”, underscored the need for collaboration among Ministries of Health, Environment, Education and Livestock, veterinary and medical doctors, environmental health officers and community leaders.

He commended the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development led by Minister Idi Mukhtar Maiha, for its vaccination target.

According to him, the ministry is targeting 70 per cent annual dog vaccination and zero human deaths from rabies by 2030.

The chairman noted that 26,000 doses were deployed to eight high-risk states in 2025, while the Federal Capital Territory recently flagged off vaccination of 20,000 dogs.

Omotugba decried that Kogi still relied on outdated laws, citing the Rabies Act of 1935 and the Dogs Law, Cap 36 of Northern Nigeria.

‘’The law provides for seizure and licensing, but lack modern population management and enforcement, ‘’ he said.

He said that less than five per cent of dogs in Lokoja, Okene, Anyigba and Ankpa were licensed.

“We cannot eliminate a 21st-century disease with 20th-century laws,” he said.

He therefore, urged the state government to domesticate the Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026 to make annual vaccination compulsory.

Omotugba also called for the establishment of a dog registry, stipulate penalties for stray dogs and replace shooting on sight with humane management.

He also called for a dedicated budget line for rabies under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project to support free mass vaccination.

He recommended sensitisation and post-exposure prophylaxis in state hospitals, and creation of a Kogi One Health Rabies Task Force.

“Let Kogi lead as the first state in North-Central to be rabies-free,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah