BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR, JANUARY 28, 2026 | 07:13 PM

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, NVMA Borno State Chapter, has raised serious concern over the declining number of veterinarians in the state civil service during its 2025 awards, recognition, and handover ceremony.

The event was held on Wednesday at Elkanemi Hall, University of Maiduguri.

The ceremony marked the official leadership transition within the association.

Outgoing executives formally handed over responsibilities to the newly elected officers.

The event was hosted by Prof. Halima Idrisa Gambo, outgoing NVMA chairperson, Borno State Chapter.

Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, Deputy Governor of Borno State and overseeing commissioner of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, attended as special guest of honor.

Prof. Umar Kyari Sandabe, pioneer vice-chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, chaired the occasion.

In an interview, Prof. Gambo described her four-year tenure as a period of learning, challenges, and achievements.

She urged members, partners, and stakeholders to support the new leadership for continuity and growth.

‘Leadership is a burden and a trust,’ she said.

‘You must be patient, open to different opinions, and always act in the best interest of the association,’ she added.

The outgoing chairperson expressed concern over the declining number of veterinarians serving in the Borno State civil service.

She warned that the situation could weaken animal health services and threaten livestock investment.

‘We have less than 30 veterinarians, which will drastically reduce to about 11 by March this year due to retirement,’ she said.

Prof. Gambo called on the state government to urgently recruit more veterinary professionals.

She noted that adequate manpower remains critical to disease prevention and livestock productivity.

The ceremony also featured awards recognition for individuals and institutions that contributed to veterinary practice and animal health development in the State.

Also in an interview with Lake Chad Times, the newly elected chairman, Prof. Yusuf Abba, pledged to build on the achievements of previous executives.

He described unity as the foundation of the association’s progress.

‘This is not a competition,’ Abba said.

‘We are one family, and our duty is to move the association forward,’ he added.

The new chairman highlighted the importance of veterinarians in protecting public health.

He noted that most emerging infectious diseases originate from animals.

‘About 65 percent of emerging diseases come from animals,’ he said.

Abba explained that ensuring safe meat and animal products remains central to the profession.

He stressed the need for public awareness and institutional support to achieve a healthy and disease-free population.

The event drew participation from government officials, development partners, and stakeholders in the livestock and animal health sector.

The ceremony was supported by the Borno State Government, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and Core Group.