04/10/2022
OPENING SPEECH BY: HON. MUSTAPHA BABA SHEHURI, THE HON. MINISTER OF STATE, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE OCCASION OF COMMENMORATION OF 2022 WORLD FARM ANIMALS DAY 2ND OCTOBER AND WORLD ANIMAL DAY 4TH OCTOBER HELD IN FMARD PREMISES
Protocol
I feel highly honoured and delighted to address you all on this important occasion of the inaugural commemoration of the World Farm Animals Day and World Animal Day held today 4th October, 2022.
2.Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the World Animal Day was officially adopted in May 1931, by the International Animal Protection Congress in Florence, Italy, where October 4th was declared as the day for global Commemoration of World Animal Day. While World Farm Animals Day was founded October 2nd, 1983.
3.Today we join the rest of the world to commemorate the two special World Days. It is apposite to mention that this event marks the first time Nigeria is joining the rest of the world to celebrate and draw attention to the importance of Good Animal Husbandry Practices in Climate Change discourse.
4. As it has been celebrated in other countries annually, the World Animal Days embrace all animals including farm and non farm animals and their unique concerns and care requirements in every Country.
5.Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, with regards to the unique concern of our country, the theme for this year's celebration is “GOOD ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PRACTICE, IS CLIMATE SMART”
6. Climate Smart Animal Agriculture strategies include sustainable livestock production systems to address environment issues while ensuring improved productivity, enhanced resilience, reduced Green House Gas Emissions. It also promotes food and feed security and safety upscaled to meet developmental goals.
7. Therefore, the commemoration of the World Animal Days beckons us to examine our animal husbandry practices in relation to the environment in the ever-changing climate situations with the view to adapting and mitigating its effects as we strive for increased profits in livestock businesses.
8. Going forward the World Animal Days will be commemorated in Nigeria and expanded to inclusively accomodate national and international partners, public and private stakeholders.
9.Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish everyone a happy World Animal Day celebration and hereby declare the First National World Animal Day Celebration Open.
11. Thank you for your kind attention and enjoy the rest the celebration.