FG inaugurates ultra-modern veterinary hospital in Maiduguri
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Maiha, has inaugurated the L-PRES Model Veterinary Hospital in Maiduguri, toward improving animal health services and livestock productivity in Borno.
Maiha, who inaugurated the facility on Wednesday, said the hospital was built and equipped under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project.
He said seven model veterinary hospitals had been completed in Adamawa, Sokoto, Enugu, Niger, Ondo, Edo and Borno, adding that 14 others were at various stages of completion nationwide.
According to him, the Borno facility is the largest among the completed hospitals because of the state’s large livestock population.
He said the Federal Government planned to establish at least one model veterinary hospital in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Maiha said the hospital was equipped with a modern surgical theatre, diagnostic laboratory, radiology unit and ambulatory service to provide veterinary care across Maiduguri and beyond.
He, however, urged the Borno Government to prioritise recruitment, training and continuous development of veterinary and para-veterinary personnel to ensure effective utilisation of the facility.
The minister commended Gov. Babagana Zulum, the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly for supporting livestock development initiatives.
The Deputy Governor Alhaji Umar Kadafur, said the state had received significant interventions through collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
Kadafur said more than 39 infrastructure facilities had been provided across three Ruga ranching centres in the state’s senatorial districts to improve livestock productivity and the welfare of pastoralist communities.
He also called for stronger federal and cross-border collaboration in managing transboundary livestock movement, particularly along routes linking Borno with neighbouring countries.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock Development, Dr Tijjani Muhammad, said the interventions would improve animal husbandry, water access, productivity and the welfare of livestock-dependent communities.
He added that the state’s breed improvement programme, involving artificial insemination of 3,000 cows, was ongoing.
Muhammad said the state was also expecting further investments to strengthen the dairy value chain, promote value addition and create sustainable economic opportunities.
