President Bola Tinubu has announced the creation of a new ministry of livestock development.
It came as he inaugurated the Renewed Hope livestock reform implementation committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
A minister is to be named for it in due course.
“This presents a unique opportunity to also delineate and establish a separate ministry called the Ministry of Livestock Development,” he declared.
The Renewed Hope livestock reform implementation committee, which was set up in September last year, was headed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Ganduje.
But he has not been replaced by the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, as deputy chairman.
The committee was established to deal with the issue of recurring farmer-herder clashes in the country and enhance the livestock value chain.
President Tinubu said that even though people had expressed doubts about a lasting solution to the problem besetting the sector, he had never wavered in his belief that something could be done.
He noted that with the inauguration of the committee, the solution has now been found.
President Tinubu stated: “I’m here before you to inaugurate the committee for the implementation of the livestock in our beloved country. First, I must say thank you very much to those who said the solution is far away. I said no; the solution is here.
“With these distinguished personalities, the name, and the intellectual capacity, majority of you have great experience and you want Nigeria to prosper.
“First and foremost, to provide impetus to enable Nigeria to finally take advantage of livestock farming, dairy products, and cold chain logistics, which collectively offer substantial commercial and economic advantages.
“We have seen solution and opportunity with this adversity that has plagued us over the years, and I believe the prosperity is here in your hands.
“The dairy industry contributes significantly to nutrition and food security because it supplies essential proteins and vitamins through milk and its derivatives, such chess, yoghurt, and butter, and has economic advantages.
“Efficient cold-chain logistics are crucial in maintaining the quality and safety of these perishable goods from farm to market, thereby reducing food waste and ensuring a steady supply.
“This sector will boost agricultural productivity, enhance export opportunities and stimulate economic growth by fostering a robust value chain that benefits farmers, processors, herders, distributors and consumers alike.”
Tinubu thanked Ganduje for assembling a good set of individuals for the committee and for his effort in laying the groundwork.
However, he said the former Kano governor can no longer continue as chairman of the committee because of the need to strip it of any political connotations, saying that while he is chairman, Jega will be his deputy and step in for him wherever he is absent.
Tinubu also stated that the traditional livestock system must be reformed to add significant and sustainable value to Nigeria’s social and economic growth and development.
The president said: “Let me take advantage of the presence here to thank the former executive governor of Kano State and the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, for assembling the best minds and experts to find solutions by convening a national conference on livestock reforms and mitigation of associate conflicts in Nigeria in February last year.
“The far-reaching recommendation in their report informed our decision to constitute and inaugurate this presidential committee on the implementation of livestock reforms and seize the great opportunity to better the lives of our people, rather than the conflict-promoted agenda.
“It is our renewed hope, and I believe that hope is here. I am trying to see a great opportunity for wealth in a situation that is very conducive.
“I must mention here that I have discussed on a number of occasions with the governors the need to seize this opportunity; let’s run with it from here.
“At this juncture, I will appeal to you to remove everything of partisan politics from it. I assume the chairmanship of the committee as the president and have appointed Professor Attahiru Jega as my deputy or co-chair.
“And I asked Dr. Ganduje, we say thank you, just remove yourself so that anything of politics in this environment will be erased completely. This is not about politics; this is about opportunity; this is about our nation. So, while I may be absent, Jega will preside and contribute to the promotion.
“We’ve solved the problem; we have identified the models for livestock management; it is done in other countries; in other countries, it has been successfully promoted. It created a great economy and empowerment for ordinary people.
“The traditional livestock system must be reformed to add significant and sustainable value to Nigeria’s social and economic growth and development.
“With all the measures that are available to us, I don’t want us to turn this environment into another talk opportunity. I just want to inaugurate this committee to ensure that I am ready.
“I assure you and the Nigerian public that we need to create this economy and cease this opportunity. These ranches you recommend, and promote, I will work with it.
“And luckily, we have an information and technology minister present too. Herds of cows can be identified with chips and be tracked these days.
“If other technologies are available to us, we are ready to work. As I said from the beginning, with you all, the solution is here, and we must run with it.
“The governors are hereby represented, any law that might inhibit the promotion and actualization of our objective, the Attorney General, is here, please give it a priority.
“And the budget and economic planning minister is here to find a budget head for it to grow, and finance is here as well to work hard for the money.
“When you have a great opportunity like this, why should Nigeria continue to be in conflict with the calibre of the people that are here?
“We will develop the economy and give people the opportunity to excel. Our vet doctors can give us the necessary opportunity to rear, crossbreed, and stop wanton killings. Even animal feed is a huge economy.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I hereby inaugurate the Renewed Hope Livestock Reform Implementation Committee in Nigeria.
“It is now in your hands; we are ready to work for the success of this programme and for the success of the entire nation. So we leave a Nigerian flag without staining our children.”
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM TheWitness