Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has emphasized the urgent need for a unified approach to addressing emerging health threats, including zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
Speaking in Jalingo through the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Oliver Namessan, at the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop on the One Health Approach, Governor Kefas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to initiatives that enhance public health and livestock productivity.
“The health of humans, animals, and the environment is deeply interconnected. This workshop will equip participants with essential skills to implement the One Health strategy effectively,” he stated.
The governor urged veterinary, medical, and environmental health professionals attending the workshop to actively engage in discussions, share experiences, and foster collaboration for sustainable health solutions.
State Project Coordinator for the Taraba Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Hananiah G. Albert, also underscored the significance of the training.
Represented by ICT Information Officer Ezra Artimas, Albert explained that the initiative, which falls under Subcomponent 1.3 of the World Bank-funded L-PRES project, aims to strengthen coordination between livestock health services and human and environmental health sectors.
“The One Health Approach ensures that public health interventions integrate expertise from human, animal, and environmental health fields. This is crucial in preventing and responding to diseases such as avian influenza, Lassa fever, Ebola, and COVID-19,” Albert noted.
The workshop, facilitated by experts from the National One Health Technical Working Group (OHTWG), covers key topics such as disease monitoring, risk communication, and the implementation of the National Action Plan on Health Security.
With 94 veterinary, medical, and environmental health professionals from various ministries, departments, and agencies in attendance, the training marks a significant step toward strengthening Taraba’s health security and improving livestock management. Participants from across local government areas are expected to gain enhanced skills in disease detection, prevention, and response.