From: Chidi Nnadi, Enugu
The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has announced that it would give a posthumous award to ‘Teacher’, the male dog that foiled suicide bombing in Borno State.
‘Teacher,’ owned by one Alhaji Mallum from Belbelu village in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, had recently attacked a suicide bomber, intercepting her as she approached a public gathering thereby detonating the bomb, which killed the dog and the suspected bomber, while members of the public escaped unhurt.
National President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Hon. Dr. Godwin Abonyi, who disclosed this, in a statement issued, in Enugu, on Monday, said that the gallant dog would be honoured during the World Veterinary Day celebration slated to hold in Asaba, Delta State by his association, come Saturday.
Abonyi also disclosed that NVMA would replace the dog to Alhaji Mallum, as well as give him “a plaque of honour for gallantry and supreme sacrifice.”
He said that NVMA is joining the World Veterinary Association and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in the celebration with the theme “Antimicrobial resistance – From awareness to action.”
“This is to highlight the growing incidence of antimicrobial resistance in both animals and humans and the grave public health consequences and the need for all and sundry to act immediately to forestall the menace and save humanity and lower animals from possible pandemic from infectious diseases due to non-efficacious medicines resulting from resistance,” he said.
According to him, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State would be the Chief Host at the event, while Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, would be the Special Guest of Honour, among other dignitaries.
Abonyi also said that a lecture on the theme would be delivered by the internationally renowned Pharmacologist and former Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Aguoye, Prof I.U. Asuzu under the chairmanship of Dr Omede Idris, president, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN, and former Commissioner for Health, Kogi State.