Nation
Expert Seeks Legislation On Antibiotics Use In Animals
Head of Department, Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Dr Ameji Negedu, has called for legislation on the use of antibiotics in animals to curb the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance in animals.
Negedu made the call during a training on Saturday in Jos, as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness week, with the theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together”.
He blamed the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance in animals during treatment on the absence of legislation.
He added that a strong legislation and policy would help to address the rise in antibiotics resistance in animals, which eventually affects humans who consume animal products.
According to him, the resistance, if not quickly addressed, could pose a serious health threat to both animals and humans.
He lamented that most livestock farmers administered antibiotics without any prescription or laboratory confirmation, leading to resistance.
He urged veterinarians to create awareness on the danger the misuse of antibiotics poses to both animals and humans.
Also, Dr Steve Dowoh, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Plateau, attributed the rise in antimicrobial (drug) resistance in animals to its use without prescription from a professional.
Dowoh, said the essence of the training was to enlighten students on the importance of using antimicrobials responsibly to avoid breeding resistance.
He added that the training was also to increase the students’ knowledge on antimicrobials to encourage best practices.
According to him, antimicrobial resistance played a vital role in re-emerging zoonotic diseases.
Earlier, the resource person, Dr Ibrahim Sini, called on livestock farmers to ensure optimal vaccination of livestock as a preventive measure against many diseases.
Sini further called on livestock farmers to ensure strict adherence to the drug withdrawal period.
He explained that when animals were administered antimicrobial, there was a withdrawal period in which humans were not allowed to consume animal products until the withdrawal period elapsed.
“Most livestock farmers failed to adhere to this and when such animal products are consumed before the expiration of the withdrawal period.
“The consumed products contain traces of the antibiotics which in the long run builds resistance in humans who consume the products”, he said.
A participant, Mr Eze Samuel, said the training was highly educational, adding that he learned the importance of administering drugs responsibly to avoid resistance.
The weeklong awareness campaign was organised to enlighten the students of veterinary medicine in the university, on the ills of antibiotics abuse and misuse.
The event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with developmental partners in the health sector.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt recently hosted a- 4 Day programme in conjunction with the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference ( UNOC:3) to mark the World Environment Day, 2025.
The Programme which was supported by the Embassy of French in Nigeria was focused on ocean protection and held from 9 to 13 June, 2025 at the premises of the Alliance Franchise.
The Tide News reports that the week long event was inspired by the Educational booklet “Understand Ocean And Act” created by the French Development Agency (AFD),was free and open for all.
The exhibition adapts complex environmental challenges into engaging educational contents for learners of all ages. It also placed special focus on French Language Learners at the beginner level( A1-A2) and school students.
According to the Director of Alliance Française Mrs Marina Lacal, 130 pupils from six schools in Port Harcourt and additional 60 students from local Universities participated in the guided visit and interactive activities.
Schools that took part in the Programme include Cornerstone International school, Vine, International, Greenoak, Gold gate Montessori, Helm Bridge and Virgo Praedicanda International school.
Others are the University of Port Harcourt,(UNIPORT) Rivers State University (RSU)and the Ignatius AJuru University of Education (AUE)
Mrs Lacal further said that through this initiative Alliance Française Harcourt and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to educating younger generations and promoting global awareness through language, culture and environmental engagement
However, the exhibition witnessed interactive tools such as French-Language game, quizzes, memory challenges, fill-in -the -blanks. It also provides a platform to explore major ocean issues including climate change,biomliversity loss, plastic pollution, sustainable fishing and climate induced migration all through a linguistic and civic lens.
In line with it’s eco conscious approach , all displayed banners used for the exhibition will be recycled into eco friendly souvenirs such as(key chains) that would be given to participants after the event, to further help reinforce the message that every action counts.
It would be recalled that all snacks and drinks provided during the visit were served with low plastic packaging in line with the environmental message of the event.
The Deputy Commandant General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Anti- Bunkering Agency, Amb Wachukwu Adah, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing into law the Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill, describing the gesture as a right step in the right direction. The operatives of the NFSS are known as forest guards.
Amb Adah, who made the commendation during the official structuring of the Nigeria Forest Security Service Anti-Bunkering team and induction of legionnaires in Omoku Town, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday, described President Tinubu as the best President of Nigeria following his monumental achievements in office.
He said the Local Government Autonomy Bill recently signed into law by the President Tinubu administration has tremendous impacts on the lives of the average Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots level.
He noted that by this singular gesture, the President had hit the ground running, for the meaningful development of the country.
Amb Adah reiterated that Rivers youths would utilise the opportunity to serve the country to the best of their ability, acknowledging their readiness to do the needful by ensuring that the forests across the nation are adequately secured.
The Deputy Commandant General also applauded the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying, the Minister has turned Abuja to London.
He, however, appealed to the Minister to assist Rivers youths to get sensitive positions in the new Nigeria Forest Security Service ,saying, there is need for him and other leaders to assist the youths who are interested in jobs at the NFSS to secure them, as it is done elsewhere.
“ We need your backing on securing the jobs at NFSS”, he said.
Amb.Adah, who represented the National Commandant, Amb Joshua Osatimehia, said the youths are fully ready to contribute to the security, progress and growth of the nation, and emphasised the essence of character, professionalism and quality service delivery at the NFSS.
In his address, the Administrator of Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Council, Dr Ndu Ajie assured the security outfit of the total support of the council.
Dr Ajie, who was represented by the Secretary of the council ,Mr.Onyedibia Ndulaka, praised the determination and sacrifices made by the security operatives in ensuring and fostering the peace and security of the State.
On their part, heads of security agencies in the local government area, including the Joint Task Force(JTF); the Police; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC); and the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), commended the efforts of the security outfit in the security of national assets, assuring them of collaboration to achieve common goals.
During the event, the 23 LGA commanders and other ranking officers were commissioned.
Recall that President Tinubu had commissioned the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and a committee to work out modalities on the operations of the NFSS.
The former State Commander of NFSS, Chief Will Wegwu showered encomiums on the Deputy Commandant General for his sacrifices and untiring efforts to keep the flag flying.
Chief Wegwu assured the participants that the officers and men would continue to support the Deputy Commandant General to succeed in his assignment.
The Omoku Police Area Commander, ACP Mahe Mohammed; and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Omoku Police Division, CSP John Landan, were among a host of other security chiefs and personalities that graced the occasion.