In recognition of her contribution to the promotion of animal health and animal welfare through the enactment of Dog (Amendment) Bill 2019 already signed into law
by Oyo State Government, a non-governmental organization, Society for Animal Rights Protection on Friday lauded and honoured the lawmaker representing Ogbomoso North State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Olawumi Bimbo Oladeji with an award of excellence at the Oyo State House of Assembly Conference Room on Friday.
It would be recalled that Hon Oladeji called for the Dog Law amendment in order to ensure that the law takes into consideration the current dictates of the contemporary society.
While presenting the award to the only female lawmaker in the Oyo State legislature, the President of the Society for Animal Rights Protection, Dr. Ibikunle Faramade said the organization is committed to the course of promotion of animal rights and welfare, prevention of cruelty to animals and improvement of education and awareness of Nigerian citizens of the wellbeing of animals as enshrined in the universal declaration of animal rights as proclaimed by united
nations through UNESCO in 1978 as well as Nigerian laws among others.
“Your initiative to review the former dog law which had become obsolete is highly commendable and could not have come at a better time. This is because one of the targets of goal of the Sustainable Development Goals – Good Health and well-being is the eradication of dog-mediated rabies. Without doubt, the reviewed law, if faithfully implemented, would go a long way in eradicating the disease, both in dogs and humans.
“Rabies is a fatal disease that is 100% preventable through vaccination. Our organization would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to become aware of the law through series of advocacy, through multiple media platforms. In fact, we have started this since October, 2022, through secondary school visitations and organisation of free Anti-rabies vaccination campaign in some peri-urban communities in Akinyele Local Government Area.
“We also use radio stations regularly to reach out to the general public in order to make sure that the message is passed across to the people. We shall undoubtedly pursue this until all our people are truly sensitized.
“In the years ahead, we look forward to working with you very closely in matters germane to animal health, animal rights and animal welfare because we know that this is not your last opportunity to serve your people in the House of Assembly.
“There are other laws bothering
on Animal Health, Animal Welfare, Meat Inspection among others that require urgent review.
“These laws have many obsolete provisions that are no longer relevant. Some are no longer punitive to serve as deterrent to offenders. Some requires the insertion of new sections in order to keep faith with the contemporary trends in tandem with international best practices. We look forward to your return to the Assembly. Dr. Ibikunle stated.
Responding, Hon Oladeji said she already lost the count of the awards she received based on the amendment of the Dog Law.
She thanked God for the opportunity given to her to impact people’s lives, pledging that she would continue to give her best to humanity.
“By the special grace of God, I will be back here. God will give me the victory again for me to continue the good work He is doing through me.
“All the aforementioned amendments you mentioned will be properly looked into by the special grace of God.
“So on behalf of the good people of Ogbomoso North that I represent in the Oyo State House of Assembly, I say a very big ‘Thank You’ to you for deeming it fit to bestow this award on me.
“And I want to say that this award given to me will spur me to do more. I will continue to put in my best, I will continue to strive hard to enable us get there. Oladeji said.
The dignitaries at the event were Dr. Adejuyigbe, Dr Olowojaye Abimbola and Dr Ibitoye Mofoluwake among others.