Pastoralists Health to Wealth Initiative: Community-Based One Health Sensitization and Livestock Productivity Program
The West African One Health
(WAOH) Team, under the leadership of Prof. S.I.B. Cadmus, in collaboration with
FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, implemented the Pastoralists Health to Wealth
Project, a community-based initiative designed to strengthen health awareness,
livestock productivity, and economic resilience among Fulani pastoralist
communities in Oyo and Kwara States, Nigeria. Conducted in Iseyin (09 September
2024) and Agbona (17 October 2024), the outreach engaged 157 pastoralists
through structured sensitization sessions addressing zoonotic diseases,
infectious disease prevention, nutrition, and safe livestock management
practices within a One Health framework.
The
project strengthened awareness of priority zoonotic and infectious diseases
affecting pastoralists and their herds, including brucellosis, tuberculosis,
tick-borne diseases, yellow fever, and Lassa fever. Participants received
practical guidance on disease transmission, preventive measures such as milk
pasteurization and hygiene practices, vector and rodent control, and the
importance of routine veterinary and medical screening to improve both human
and animal health outcomes.
The
program also addressed micronutrient deficiencies by promoting awareness of
iron, vitamin A, and zinc and their roles in immune function and overall
wellbeing. Practical dietary recommendations using locally available food
sources were shared to encourage sustainable nutrition improvements within the
communities.
FrieslandCampina
WAMCO Nigeria reinforced the health–economic linkage by presenting its
structured milk collection and pasteurization model, emphasizing safe dairy
production and improved income generation. Strong community engagement and
calls for continued veterinary support highlight the project’s potential as a
scalable model for advancing One Health security and rural livelihoods in
Nigeria.
The Pastoralists Health to Wealth
project was implemented under the leadership of Prof. S.I.B. Cadmus,
FrieslandCampina WAMCO, and in collaboration with the West African One Health
(WAOH) Team.
