Ahead of the forthcoming Ileya festival, Osun State Government has embarked on massive disinfection of livestock markets across the state to prevent incursion of livestock diseases like avian influenza among others.
This was contained in a statement made available to Newsnigeriaonline.com.ng. by Segilola Babalola, Press Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Tuesday.
The statement stated that the Veterinary Services Department of the ministry took charge of the disinfection being part of its schedule in the ministry.
Speaking during the fumigation exercise at Atakumosa market in Ilesa, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Adedayo Adewole, represented by the Director of Veterinary Services Dr. (Mrs) Olatokun noted that the exercise was in preparation for Ileya festival.
She added that food security was paramount and part of integral plans of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration, who has deemed it fit to make food security critical in the life of every individual in the state.
She used the occasion to caution Osun citizens to be wary of the type of livestock or meat they would consume during the festive season which normally attract great traffic of livestock, such as rams, goats, birds for the purpose of celebrating the festival.
She stressed further that livestock markets all over the state would be disinfected and market practitioners would also be sensitized on proper hygienic practices and biosecurity
She charged the celebrants to ensure they do not purchase sick or dead animals due to reduction in price.
In their separate appreciations, Mrs kikelomo Olarewaju, chickens dealer and Mrs Ninilola Aremu, rams and goats dealer, appreciated governor Oyetola for deeming it necessary to fumigate livestock markets in the state and thereafter chorused the slogan of ‘Forward ever and back ward never.’
