The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has applauded the Ogun State Government as one of the States with the highest number of employed veterinary doctors and for building animal health care facilities in different parts of the State.

President of VCN, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Aishatu Abubakar Baju gave the commendation in Abeokuta, during the official flag-off of the State Veterinary Practice Premises Task Force, affirming that Ogun has met the stipulated number of competent veterinary doctors, thereby making the State the best veterinary service coordination in the country.

Baju said the inauguration of the task force will become imperative to regulate practice of livestock and veterinary business for quality animal care services, calling on the State government to support them in their operations.

"Ogun is very strategic in livestock businesses in Nigeria, as it holds the largest number of poultry farmers and related industry, as a result, provision of veterinary services should be properly regulated, in order to ensure they receive the best animal care services, hence, the need for the task force", she submitted.

She said VCN is an agency of government vested with the mandate of ensuring quality training in the practice of veterinary medicine in Nigeria and make sure all veterinary premises are duly registered and maintain minimum standard, urging unregistered veterinary outfits to register with the task force within the next 60 days or face the wrath of the law.

On his part, the Chairman, Veterinary Practice Premises Committee of Nigeria, Dr. Latunji Nasir, maintained that every State should have a task force to enforce regulations, saying a high level of responsibility, diligence and hard work was expected of the newly inaugurated members.

While receiving them earlier in his office, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina said the agricultural agenda of the present administration focuses on job creation, industrialisation, food and nutrition, noting that veterinary services are essential in the actualisation of the agenda.

Dr. Odedina pointed out that the task force is needed to checkmate illegal abattoirs, slaughter slabs and livestock services, to produce healthy meat for people's consumption and legal veterinary value-chain businesses.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Task Force, who is also the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Taiwo Jolaoso assured that illegal veterinary services and unlawful livestock businesses would be eradicated across the State.