Gov. Shettima Bags NVMA 2015 Award
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has been honoured with Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) 2015 Merit Award for his contribution in promoting Veterinary practice to its highest level in the state.
The National President of the association, Dr. Edgar Amos Sunday presented the premium Award to the governor at the occassion of the NVMA during its 52nd National Annual Congress held in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state.
The event drew members of NVMA from across the 36 states of the federation including Abuja.
Shettima was represented at the occasion by a former Commissioner of Animal Resources and Fisheries Development, a Professor of Veterinary Physiology, Umar Sandabe, as well as other members of state delegation including Dr. Andrew Usman Malgwi.
In his acceptance speech, the governor said, he was humbled by members of NVMA for considering him worthy of the award and promised that his administration is ready to pursue vigorously the aims and objectives of the association to ensure good quality animal protein in the state.
Shettima noted that since he assumed the mantle of leadership, his administration wasted no time in creating Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries Development in order to ensure food safety and security as well create job opportunities through fish and poultry farmingp.
He said, Borno has the largest population of livestock in the country and supplies substantial protein requirement, and which also has over 52 Veterinary Doctors on the payroll of the state government making the highest employer by a state in the country.
He added that, apart from this gesture, government has completed the renovation and upgrading of the Veterinary Hospital to a referral status, this is in addition to reaching an advance stage for the supply of modern equipment, working tools and drugs to enhance animal healthcare delivery in the state.
He pointed out that recently, the sum of N162 million was awarded for the renovation of all dilapidated structures at the Maiduguri Abbatoir to be equipped with modern facilities.
In an interview with one members of the state delegation, Dr. Andrew Malgwi described the award on governor Shettima as worthwhile, considering his immense contribution to the NVMA and the livestock subsector of the economy in the state.
Dr. Andrew on behalf of NVMA pledged their total support to the present administration in order to move the state forward.