Lokoja:The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Kogi chapter, has appealed to the state government to employ at least two veterinary doctors per Local Government Area (LGA) to improve rabies surveillance and the One Health response in the state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Tolu Omotugba, the state Chairman of the association, highlighted the urgency of this request during a news conference in Lokoja, commemorating the 2026 World Rabies Day.
Kogi, consisting of 21 LGAs, faces challenges due to its large dog population, which is utilized for hunting and security purposes, and its porous borders. Omotugba emphasized that rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms manifest but is entirely preventable. He noted that the current number of veterinary officers in the state civil service is insufficient, with only about 28 to 30 officers available, leaving some LGAs without any veterinary presence.
Omotugba suggested that employing a minimum of two veterinary doctors per LGA would facilitate disease reporting, particularly for public health concerns. He also mentioned the high number of unreported rabies cases in Kogi and across Nigeria.
Reflecting on past incidents, Omotugba recalled the tragic rabies outbreak in Bassa LGA, Plateau, where 12 lives were lost, including a family of three. He stressed the need for collaboration under the 2026 theme “Stronger Together” among various ministries and community leaders to combat rabies effectively.
The Federal Government’s vaccination efforts were commended, particularly the initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, which aims for a 70% annual dog vaccination rate and zero human rabies deaths by 2030. However, Omotugba criticized Kogi’s reliance on outdated rabies laws from 1935 and urged the adoption of modern regulations.
He proposed the enactment of the Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026, urging annual vaccination and the establishment of a dog registry. Additionally, Omotugba called for the allocation of funds for rabies control under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project and the creation of a Kogi One Health Rabies Task Force.
Omotugba concluded by encouraging Kogi to become the first rabies-free state in North-Central Nigeria.