The Oyo State Government has mandated residents of the State to vaccinate their dogs and cats against the dreaded rabies disease.

The mandate was contained in a release issued today, by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, drawing the residents’ attention to the importance of such vaccination.

Recall that this year’s World Rabies Day was marked on September 28, 2024, with the theme “Breaking Rabies Boundary.”

Oyo State marked the event with a program that brought together veterinary professionals, pet owners, and community members in a united front against this deadly disease.

Olasunkanmi said, “All dogs and cats owners who have not vaccinated their pets should do so immediately by visiting the veterinary centres in the State”.

Barrister Olasunkanmi hinted that from research, majority of rabies cases involve dog bites hence the present Government in the State is sensitizing the general public on the needs to keep their dogs or animals in confined areas and vaccinate them regularly.

He said that it is against the Oyo State Dog Law 2019 to allow dogs to rove around without its owner.

According him, the best way to prevent rabies in humans is by vaccination of dogs and cats, at least once a year.

The Commissioner, said human rabies death according to research is 100 percent preventable with prompt vaccination of dogs and cats.

He explained that having discovered that over 70 percent of infectious diseases in humans originate from animals- Zoonotic, Oyo State Government has embarked on an all inclusive method to control rabies and other zoonotics diseases.

Olaleye said the Government has executed free mass vaccination of cattle under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative.

He added that the Government in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Livestock Productivity and Reseilince Support Project (L-Press) on 19th of August, 2024, trained veterinary Officers.

Olasunkanmi however added that refusal to vaccinate dogs and pets annually is an offence against the Oyo State Dog Law 2019, with fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (#250,000) only or six months imprisonment or both.

In a related development, the Chairman Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Oyo State Chapter, Dr. John Famoyin commended Oyo State Government for its various efforts in preventing zoonotics diseases noting that September 28th every year is the World Rabies Day.

He however urged Government at all levels to ensure implementation of Dog Law.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information and Orientation,

Oyo State.

The Oyo State Government has launched its Civil Service Week celebration with an inter-ministerial football match as part of programme lined up to commemorate Civil Service week.

Flagging off the event today at Ikolaba High School field, the chairman, 2024 Civil Service Week Committee, as well as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs.  Christianah Abioye said the inter-ministerial football game was part of activities to celebrate a week-long 2024 Civil Service Week.

Mrs. Abioye explained that the football match is part of a week-long celebration of Civil Service Week. She emphasized the need for sports activities like football to help civil servants perform their duties effectively, hence Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, approved the committee’s request, making this the first inter-ministerial football match in the State’s history.

The Chairman, hinted that for the civil servants in the state to continue discharge their duties as expected, there is need to introduce sports like football match, hence the Oyo State Governor under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde to approve the committee’s request, adding that the inter ministerial football is first of its kind in the history of Oyo State.

She equally commended the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, for her interest in the initiative, adding that the event aims to promote teamwork and camaraderie among civil servants, contributing to a positive work environment.

Speaking with the participants at the inter-ministerial football match, Mrs. Abioye urged participants to view the exercise as a fun way to stay active, rather than a high-stakes competition. “We are all co-laborers in Oyo State,” she reminded.

Mr. Abraham Adegbola, a Class Teacher at Progressive Grammar School, Tede, who played for the Ministry of Education, expressed gratitude to the Oyo State Government for the opportunity saying that the exercise will promotes unity among civil servants and encourages them to embrace sports, leading to increased productivity.

The first match saw the Ministry of Education defeat the Ministry of Health 2-0, while the second match resulted in a 4-0 victory for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources against the Governor’s Office.

Adesoji Olusegun.

Media Officer,

MA&RD.

Oyo, State.

The Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio Economic Development (OYMASED) will collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the education and mobilization of residents on the State  Government’s effort at ensuring food security and sufficiency.

The Director General of OYMASED, Dr. Morohunkola Thomas while on  a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the new agency is saddled with the responsibility of educating people at the grassroots on the socio economic activities of the Seyi Makinde led administration.

He added that mobilization and education of residents of the State will help in achieving one of the agenda of the State Government which is moving people from poverty to prosperity.

According to Dr. Thomas, the Agency through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will collaborate with OYSADA and extension workers in reaching the farmers and educating the populace on food security and sufficiency.

The OYMASED Director General also appreciated the efforts of the Oyo State Government for introducing Oyo SAfER which he said has helped a lot of farmers across the thirty three local government of the State.

‘Oyo SAfER has been of great assistance to farmers in the State. Through this, farmers can now cultivate their lands with the inputs of the State Government’, he added.

Dr. Thomas advised the Ministry on the need to revive school  Agriculture policy as well as encourage backyard farming.

In his response, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development,   Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the agency will relieve the Ministry of bottlenecks on sensitizing people at the grassroots  on its activities.

He noted that a lot has been achieved under the safer programme of the State Government.

He called on local government  chairmen as well as residents of the State to make land available to investors as well as helping in breaking the bottlenecks of middle men and ensuring that adequate security is provided for the farmers in their domain.

E- signed:

Media Team,

Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio- Economic Development.

The Oyo State Government has launched a comprehensive training program for farmers in rural communities as part of its continued efforts to enhance food security.

Declaring the training open on Thursday at the Oyo State- IITA Youth Incubation Park Centre, Awe, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, stated  that the program was first of its kind in the State’s history under Governor Seyi Makinde’s tenure.

He said that the program aims to reduce unemployment and increase food production, with 62 participants selected from various rural communities undergoing intensive training to enhance their agricultural skills and knowledge.

He hinted that each participant has been allocated two acres of land to cultivate, with over 200 acres of maize farm already cultivated within the Oyo State-IITA Youth Incubation Park Centre, Awe, saying the initiative is expected to ensure food sufficiency in the coming months.

According to the Commissioner,   Sixty-two (62) farmers were selected from different local governments in the State will undergo training in good Agricultural practices in different farming enterprises for the next one year. Each  participant was allocated  two acres of farmland as demonstration farm, and are also given free inputs like maize seed, cassava stems, herbicides amongst others.

He emphasized that the training programme that will be taken to Communities and villages in Oyo State is aimed at promoting good agricultural practices, increasing food production and food security in the State.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Christianah Abioye, commended the participants for their cooperation and urged them to take the training seriously, as the Government will provide necessary materials.

Speaking on the journey so far, the IITA Park Manager, Mr. Oni Waheed, expressed excitement about the initiative, acknowledging the Government’s support.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, the participants’ captain, Rev. Dr. Idowu David, expressed gratitude to the Government and IITA, promised to make the most of the training and contribute to the development of the agricultural sector in Oyo State.

He stated that the program is a significant step towards achieving the Oyo State Government’s agenda to promote agriculture and reduce unemployment, expected to have a positive impact on the lives of the participants and the overall agricultural sector in the State.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye alongside  his Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Christianah Abioye received AWARD OF EXCELLENCE PERFORMANCE from the Poultry Association of Nigeria PAN, Oyo State Chapter.

Presenting the award, today at the Commissioner’s Office,  the Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, Oyo State chapter, Elder Omidokun hinted that their excellent performance towards the distribution of the ongoing farm input to farmers, most especially poultry farmers whereby 95% of beneficiaries earned them the award, adding that PAN would forever be grateful. He however prayed for greater success of Omituntun 2.0 of Engr Makinde’s led administration.

In his remarks, the Commissioner appreciated the union stressing that the award was a call to greater service.

Deputy Governor of Oyo State , Barrister Adbul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal alongside the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Christianah Abioye in a group photograph with team from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security, led by Malam Ibrahim K. Iro  on advocacy Mission for the Expansion of Cadre Harmonise Analysis to the state, today at the Deputy Governor’s Office. Together with the team are; the representative of Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nation (FAO), Miss Regina Ojomah, Director of Agricultural Extension Services, Mr. M. A. Razaq and other members of the newly inaugurated committee of National Taskforce Analysis on Cadre Harmonize, Oyo State chapter.

… Deploys extension officers across 33 LG to facilitate proper booking.

In line with promises made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to support farmers in ploughing their farmlands, the State Government has commenced 50% tractorization subsidy for farmers to enhance its vision of ensuring food sufficiency across the State.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkami Olaleye who  disclosed this at a press briefing, explained that a remote monitoring device would also be deployed to ensure proper measurement of farmlands and tracking of the tractors while ploughing the farmlands to ensure the programme followed due process.

Explaining modalities for the programme, the Commissioner noted that interested farmers would book by applying to access the tractorization subsidy, then an extension officer would go to their farms to take proper measurements of farmlands to determine the 50% subsidy then the farmers would be expected to pay their own part of the other 50% before tractors would be mobilized to their various farmlands, adding that the programme is in partnership with LO tractors.

Barrister Olasunkami Olaleye equally stressed that for now, each beneficiary farmer would only get support for maximum of 10 acres of farmland to enable the privileges spread across for all farmers in the State addicting that the interested farmers should contact booking agents Officer – Agric Extension Officers in their various local Government for inspection of their farm to take coordinate.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to continually expand its agricultural sector and provide necessary interventions to farmers in achieving its visions of guaranteeing food security and reduction in prices of foodstuff in the State.

In his remarks, the chairman of Oyo State Agric Credit Corporation, Alhaji Taofeek Akewugbagold, commended Governor Seyi Makinde’s ingenuity in conceiving the programme, assuring farmers that the government would not only support farmers to plough their farms, but continue to provide more assistance while acknowledging that though the 1 billion naira agric credit loan had been exhausted, farmers should expect more loans and interventions.

In her closing remarks, the permanent secretary, ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Mrs. Christianah Abioye, stated that the various efforts of the present Government would encouraged more young once to embrace farming urged the farmers to ensure their farm land for cultivation is well cleared before tractor can be deployed to their farm.

Adding that contact of the booking agents have been released for the interested members, farmers.

Adesoji Olusegun,

Media Officer,

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye has supervised the distribution of farm inputs and agricultural assets to farmers in Six Local Government areas of Oyo State.

The flag-off of the distribution in the two LGAs is part of the ongoing Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery programme (SAfER) by the Government.

The Commissioner said it is part of its continued efforts in enhancing quality and increased farm produce in order to boost food security in Oyo State.

Unveiling the distribution at Saki West Local Government, the Commissioner, and Chairman, Food Security under SAfER, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the 4th phase of the farm inputs distribution was officially flagged off at Ibarapa East, Eruwa where about 2537 farmers across Ibarapa zones benefited.

He said the distribution is ongoing simultaneously at the six Local Governments in Oke Ogun which include ATISBO, Saki West, Oorelope, Kajola, Iwajowa and Itesiwaju.

Speaking through the Director, Regulation and Enforcement, Mr. Olusegun Ezekiel, Barr. Oladunkanmi noted that the move was part of the State Government plan to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, adding that beneficiaries would go home with herbicides, snap-sack sprayer tank, 16kg hybrid maize seedlings, insecticide and 20 bundles of improved cassava stems.

According to him, about 766 arable farmers would been given inputs in the six Local Governments in Oke Ogun.

The Commissioner equally revealed that the fifth phase of the SAfER scheme in the food sector, includes free vaccination for cattles, distribution of feed to goat and sheep farmers as well as subsidy on the use of tractors for farmers will commence in the next few weeks.

In there separate remarks, the Baale Agbe ATISBO and Oorelope, Mr. Daniel Oketola and Mr. Oladunni Isaiah commended the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for bringing succour to farmers in the State.

While the farmer-heads noted that the distribution was timely, they urged farmers to make judicious use of the inputs.

Adesoji Olusegun O.

Media Officer,

MA&RD,

Oyo State

The Oyo State Government has commenced the distribution of farm inputs to 2537 arable farmers across the State, as part of its continues efforts to ensure food security.

Flagging off the distribution of input to the arable farmers today at Ibarapa East Local Government, Eruwa, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye noted that the exercise is ongoing simultaneously at Igbo Ora, Ayete, Surulere, Ogbomoso North amongst others respectively, hinted that each beneficiary would go home with herbicides, snap-sack sprayer tank, 16kg hybrid maize seedlings, insecticide and 20 bundles of improved cassava stems.

Olaleye who revealed that the fifth phase of the SAfER scheme food sector, which includes free vaccination for cattles, distribution of feed to goat and sheep farmers as well as Subsidy on the use of tractors for farmers in the next few weeks.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Christianah Abioye who was represented by the Director, Planing Research and Statistic, Mr. Kola Badmus thanked the farmers’ contributions in supporting Governor Makinde in ensuring food security in the State and however urged farmers to reciprocate the good gesture of Engr. Seyi Makinde to reflect the prices of food and other commodities in the State

While speaking on behalf of the farmers, Secretary, All Farmers Association Of Nigeria, Eruwa Zone, Mr. Rafiu Saheed, thanked the Government for giving them the farm inputs, revealing that the materials would have significant effect on their farm and urged his fellow farmers to make judicious use of the inputs and not sell them.

It would be recalled that the State recently began the third phase of the SAfER scheme with the distribution of feed to pig farmers, fish farmers and poultry farmers respectively

A

desoji Olusegun

Media Officer,

MA&RD.

The Oyo State Government has trained 165 youths and women farmers on cultivation, pest control and processing  of improved  varieties of three stabble crops.

According to the Government, the training, which includes planting and processing of Orange -Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP), Vitamin A Cassava and Vitamin A maize will enhance quality nutrition and value addition.

Declaring the One-day Training open, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye advised farmers to adopt good agricultural practices in the cultivation of improved varieties of crops.

The training which was organised in collaboration with Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition GAIN, held at House of chiefs, parliament building secretariat Ibadan.

Olaleye said youths and women in the State are being taught on how to plant and process Orange Fleshed sweet potato, Vitamin A cassava and vitamin A maize to enhance and enriched nutritional content of food production and food  security in Oyo State.

According to him, the training will guarantee more yield per hectare and for value addition.

The commissioner added that this ‘Training the Trainer’ is another focused effort of the Government to alleviate the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.

He advised farmers in the State to embrace improved varieties of cassava stems as they have enormous benefits and give more yield per hectare.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the effort of the State Government on Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiatives of the State Government on distribution of 400kg of maize grains to each poultry farmers in the State where 2665 farmers benefitted; 1000 fish farmers across the State also received fish feeds while 100kg of palm kernel cake (PKC) and 2 bottles of disinfectants would be given to 1000 pig farmers each

He added that the ministry of agriculture and rural development will henceforth carry along the directors of agriculture in all the 33 local govt areas of the State in every activity organised by the ministry in order to reach out to the grassroot.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, Mrs. Christiana Abioye said the seminar is another milestone in the history of the ministry of agriculture and rural development in a time like this when the whole country is passing through a hard time of food scarcity and hunger.

Abioye who commended the Government for the support to farmers, observed that cassava production in the country required good agronomic practices for high yield.

In her remarks, the head of Policy, Advocacy and Communication, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Barrister Joyce Akpata commended the Oyo State Government for creating a conducive environment which allows them to operate among other participating States.

She stressed that GAIN has been operating in 4 local governments in the State but due to prioritization in agriculture by the present Government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde, the opportunity has been extended to the 33 local governments in the State.

She affirmed that by extension, the move would increase the nutrition intake of the citizen through massive production.

Speaking on behalf of the Farmers, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria AFAN, Oyo State chapter, Adewumi Abass thanked Government for it’s numerous ongoing efforts to ensure food security in the State adding that with these efforts, Oyo State would indeed be a food basket of Nigeria.

Present at the training were the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Ojedokun Peter; Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs and member, Committee on agriculture, Hon. Mrs Olufunke Comforter, Professor Mrs Folake Samuel among others.

Adesoji O.O.

Media Officer

MA&RD