Ben Madilynn
Determined to boost the livestock segment of the Bauchi State agricultural sector, the Welfare Society of Nigeria has trained no less 60 students from select tertiary institutions in the state on animals’ welfare.
Speaking during the training session, the president of AWSON Mohammed Sanusi noted that the training was the first in a series involving 60 students from the Bauchi State College of Agriculture, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal Polytechnic Bauchi and Sa’adu Zungur University Bauchi State.
According to him, the topics covered during the event were carefully selected to address pressing issues related to the deteriorating state of animal welfare in Nigeria.
While reiterating the organisation’s commitment to improving animal welfare standards across the country, Sanusi, while highlighting the historical significance of the event, noted that “AWSON, a voluntary non-governmental organisation registered in Bauchi since 2007, has been actively engaged in promoting animal welfare through education, advocacy, public awareness, and legislative measures.
“The organisation is dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals across the country.
“This training marks the beginning of a series of sessions targeting young and fresh graduates from colleges of agriculture and universities in Nigeria. Apart from being one of our major objectives, this initiative is aimed at impacting basic knowledge and skills related to animal welfare, thereby motivating participants to function more effectively in their future careers.”
While expressing optimism that the knowledge gained by the participants would be passed on to livestock farmers and other stakeholders, especially in rural areas,
Sanusi added that AWSON’s long-term goal is to train as many students of agriculture and animal science as possible across the country.
Thus, he called on the National Universities Commission, and the National Board for Technical Education to introduce a mandatory animal welfare course for all graduating students of animal-related disciplines, noting that AWSON is ready to collaborate with these regulatory bodies in designing such a program to enhance animal welfare education.
Also speaking at the event, Barrister Abdulkadir Garba of Annor Chambers Bauchi, who delivered a lecture on animal welfare legislation, stressed the need for stronger laws to protect animals from cruelty.
He emphasised, “As I said during my lecture, there is no specific legislation concerning animal welfare. I urge both the federal and state governments to address this gap, as the maltreatment of animals is widespread.”
He called on AWSON to take the issue to the national and state assemblies to push for laws that regulate animal welfare and to create awareness among law enforcement agencies about animal rights.
“It is important that people know that cruelty to animals is an offence that can attract punishment and even imprisonment. AWSON should lead the way in ensuring this happens,” Garba insisted.
The attorney at law further advised that people should gain more knowledge on how to properly care for animals, pointing out that animals deserve to be treated with the same care and respect as humans, stressing that “the way we treat ourselves is how we should treat animals because they have life just like we do.”
Arewa PUNCH observed that the event drew participation from AWSON representatives across various states, and other stakeholders also committed the cause of animal protection in Nigeria.
