The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has inaugurated a 33-member National Technical Working Group on Control and Eradication of Pest des Petits Ruminants (PPR) to protect sheep and goats and strengthen the livestock economy.
The inauguration, which was held on Tuesday in Abuja, was disclosed by the ministry in a statement signed by the ministry’s Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Information), Ogochukwu Igbomalu.
Livestock Development Minister Idi Mukhtar Maiha said PPR is one of the most devastating cross-border animal diseases affecting sheep and goats in endemic countries, including Nigeria.
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The disease threatens animal health and undermines the livelihoods of pastoralists and smallholder farmers, he said, adding that it undermines food and nutrition security and restricts trade in livestock and livestock products.
Maiha said small ruminants are central to women, youth and vulnerable rural households, describing them as a key source of income, nutrition and financial resilience.
Controlling and eradicating PPR is a veterinary, economic and social priority for the country, he said, adding that success will support economic diversification, poverty reduction, women and youth empowerment and the expansion of regional and international livestock trade.
The Minister urged the members of the Task Force to carry out their work with professionalism and assured them of full policy support and institutional support from the Ministry.
Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, described the Task Force as an important mechanism to translate policy into action, which will help ensure that PPR control efforts are technically sound, coordinated and sustainable.
Represented by Nigeria's Chief Veterinary Officer, Samuel Anjaku, he said the task force is expected to provide technical oversight on the prevention, control and eradication of PPR, as well as support the national PPR control and eradication roadmap.
He said members will also strengthen surveillance, vaccination, diagnostics and data management while increasing coordination between federal and state institutions, research bodies, the private sector and development partners.
Earlier, Department of Animal Health and Reproductive Services head Michael Alao Michel said the inauguration is a milestone in strengthening animal health systems.
He said PPR remains a major threat to livestock production and rural livelihoods.
