*Pix above: The herders
Determined to address the long-standing farmers-herders crisis and boost Nigeria’s livestock sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
Tinubu made the announcement during the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms at the State House in Abuja.
The newly formed committee, chaired by President Tinubu, with former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Attahiru Jega, serving as Deputy Chairman, is tasked with proposing recommendations to foster peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers while ensuring the security and economic well-being of all Nigerians.
“When you have great opportunity as this, why should Nigeria continue in conflict with the caliber of the people that is here?
“This presents a unique opportunity also to delineate and establish a separate ministry called the Ministry of Livestock Development. We will develop the economy, give people the opportunity to excel.
“Our vet doctors can give us the necessary opportunity to rear, crossbreed and stop the wanton killings, even animal feeds is a huge economy,” Tinubu said at the inauguration of the committee attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.
The development comes in response to calls from various stakeholders, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), which had previously urged the president to establish a dedicated ministry for livestock.
MACBAN’s president, Alhaji Baba Usman Ngelzarma, had said there was a need for a comprehensive approach to address the entire livestock value chain.
Stakeholders are of the view that the creation of the new ministry will give peace a chance in the turbulent relationship between the herders and the farmers … where as a matter of fact, they were both working for the good of the economy in addressing cost of living crisis in the country.{agency}###
