SARP Honours Evang Bola Are,Two Others with Responsible Dog Ownership Award
The Society for Animal Rights Protection (SARP) has honoured the popular gospel singer, Evangelist Bola Are and two other dog owners for their commitment to animal welfare through their pets.
The Evangelist Bola Are and other honourees, Ms Titilayo Kadiri, a Consultant Human Capital Development and Dr Adenike Sofoluwe, of the Faculty of Radiology University of Ibadan were presented the plaques in recognition of their commitment to the ideals of “Five Fredoms of Animal Welfare”, demonstrated through their exceptional medical care of the dogs.
Prime News gathered that Evangelist Bola Are reared and cared for a female Caucasian, named Happy as pet for eighteen years.
The Singer bonded with Happy, always passionate about her and found it difficult to see her passed on while she breath last due to geriatric complications at the age of eighteen, after which the Erio-Ekiti born Singer held a wake and funeral service in her honour
The second awardee, Ms Titilayo Kadiri, got a male Pitbul, which she named Lord Lugard 2015 after having a robbery incident, and for eight years, Lugard was a very sensitive dog, became emotional during Covid-19 when denied access to the family, he was reported to have given the family unconditional love and loyalty, including the killing of a Cobra and Allegator before his death after being diagnosed of Endocarditis.
The story of Dr Adenike Sofoluwe, with of her, male Rottweiler, named Bruno, was also touchy, Bruno joined the family when she was grieving the loss of a son and the duo formed attachment as it howls whenever she sings, sleeps with his four limbs up at her bedside, refuses to eat or play in her absence whenever she embarked on oversea trips until he died of chronic Ehrlichiosis.
Presenting the award at a ceremony commemorating the 2024 Animal Rights Day at the Conference room of SARP Secretariat, Odo Ona, Ibadan, Chairman on the Occasion, Ayokunle Opakunbi, commended the awardees for treating their Dogs with dignity compassion and respect.
The fight for animal rights is not just a fight for animals; it is a fight for our shared humanity. Our treatment of animals reflects who we are as individuals and as a nation. It defines our capacity for empathy, justice, and kindness. If we can ensure a future where all beings are treated with respect, we will not only build a better world for animals but for ourselves as well. We should put a stop to the song and attitude of “Bewure le ku ko ku, emi o le komi eeyan ki nko mi eran, bewure le ku ko ku” or “Eeyan o ri bi sun, aja nhananrun.”
Responding on behalf of the three awardees, Ms Titilayo Kadiri, who relayed the good moments with Lugard her Dog, thanked the Society for Animal Rights Protection (SARP) for recognizing them, describing it as a consolation or the love and commitment to the welfare of animals in their care.
This award is like a big consolation that I didn’t get it wrong in handling a dog and it shows I’ll not be a bad person to an animal. My Dog, from Nigeria to every part of the world, they know Lugard. When he died I took to the street and shouting. He sleeps with AC , he knows when to draw the duvet and use the pillow in the bed. It’s painful I lost him because I took proper care of him.
Dogs are like humans, they can pick up your temperament. When am angry in the house, it’s only Lugard that can get my attention . The little time you spend with a dog, you’ll always remember for life. Pit bull Dogs are very special and I always hope they can be seen in heaven but unfortunately not”.
In a key note address, entitled: “Improving Animal Health Service Delivery: Matters Arising” , Director, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan, Professor O.T Jeremiah, noted that Animals coexist with man in the same ecosystem, hence the need to show more commitments to their welfare so as to balance our living
Professor Jeremiah, highlighted challenges bedeviling the Animal health services in Nigeria to include non recognition of veterinarians, Inadequacy of support staff, lack of modern equipment for animal health delivery.
The society stereotypes veterinarians as doctors of rats and cockroaches, I remember a governor who sacked all the Veterinarians saying his mother didn’t require veterinary services to take care of her sheep’s and Goats.”
Professor Jeremiah advocated infrastructure upgrade, reorientation of the populace in Nigeria, training and retraining of veterinarians as well as adequate funding of all Veterinary and allied institutions for global best practices.
Earlier, in an address of welcome , the President and Chief Executive Officer of SARP, Dr. Ibikunle Faramade reeled out the achievements of the society in its four years to include sensitisation and awareness as well as seminars organised as interventions to jack up the protection of animal rights in the society to include seminar on hunting practice, workshop on humane slaughter of animals, Monkey pox prevention awareness and anti Rabies Vaccination
If you want your own rights to be protected, concentrate on the promotion of animal welfare. We offer ourselves to serve as links between animals and man.”
