The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with Ogun State Government has joined the world to create awareness to reduce the deadly outcomes of Antimicrobial Resistance among people, animal and the environment.

          The Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Olaniran Alabi made this known in Abeokuta, during a 2-day sensitisation workshop organised to commemorate the 2021 World Antimicrobial Day, for farmers and students, to sensitise them on the effects of Antimicrobial and measures to combat the scourge.

       Alabi explained that Antimicrobial is an abuse of antimalarial, antibiotics, antifungal and antiparasitic medications, which are the under-use, mis-use and over-use of these medications among humans and animals alike.

        The Chief Veterinary Officer, represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Tesedona Foundation for Animal health, Dr. Dooshima Kwange, said the celebration in line with the theme, “Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance”, was targeted at secondary school students, livestock producers and farmers, in order to engage them in spreading the awareness about the importance of handling antimicrobial agents with care.

      In his welcome address, the Director of Veterinary Services, Ogun State, Dr. Taiwo Jolaoso noted that the sensitisation campaign was informed by the magnitude of threat that the resistance to such medications has caused on a global scale, saying resistance to antimicrobials takes place when microbes no longer respond to medicines, which could lead to further health deterioration or death.     

     He urged participants to cultivate the habit of good hygiene, desist from self-medication and adhere strictly to drugs prescribed by healthcare providers for humans, as well as in the care of animals, to effectively mitigate resistance to antimicrobials.

          In her presentation, one of the resource persons, Miss Oreoluwa Kehinde, said it was essential to catch the students young with the message, imploring them to pass on the lessons learnt to their families and communities at large.

          Speaking on behalf of other participants, a student of Beacon College, Akinronbi Princewill, applauded the government for the initiative, promising an onward movement of the knowledge acquired.