…Says Govt will adopt ranching to enhance livestock development
With the creation of the new Ministry of Livestock Development, the President Bola Tinubu’s administration has increased the number of Ministries to 29, from the current 28, with the number of ministers likely to reach 50.
The President on Tuesday announced the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development, while inaugurating the Presidential Committee on livestock reforms, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to amongst other things “drive the federal government new plans on livestock development”
The plans will include the development of modern ranches and improve the livestock farming.
Read also: Ranching bill gets social justice group praise, promises healthier food, jobs economic growth The move, Businessday gathered, is part of efforts to check the growing farmers/ herders conflicts that are currently creating negative impact on the nation’s food security plans.
The plans will also check rising food inflation currently over 40%
The President has 46 Ministers in his cabinet, even as two positions, including Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the Minister of Labour are currently vacant.
This increase in Ministries is also coming amidst calls for the implementation of the Steve Oronsaye report on the rationalization of the federal government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs, against the backdrop of dwindling federal government revenue.
With the latest developments, the number of cabinet ministers may rise to 50, if the President follows up the creation of the new Ministry with the appointment of both Minister and Minister of State for the new Ministry. Recall however, the the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF had announced in March, announced that government is now ready to implement the report.
The Orosanye report had recommended the slaying of the 263 MDAs to 161, while 38 where to be scrapped, 52 merged and 14 reverted to departments, in the various Ministries.
President Tinubu, while inaugurating the committee for the implementation of the livestock development on Tuesday, stated that the initiative provides” impetus to enable Nigeria to finally take advantage of livestock farming, diary product, cold chain logistics, collectively offers substantial commercial and economic advantages”
The President also declared his intentions to embark on creation ranches, to halt the growing conflicts between farmers and herders which had resulted in loss of lives, impacted negatively on food security and high food inflation of about 40%
Tinubu noted that Nigeria has finally seen the solution and opportunity, to check the challenges adversely plagued the nation over the years, and “I believe the prosperity is here in your hands” The President noted that the “diary industry contributes significantly to nutrition and food security, supply essential proteins and vitamins through milk and its derivatives such chess, yoghurt, butter and economic advantages”
Tinubu while highlighting the benefits of the initiative, added that “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.”
He stated that the sector will boost agricultural productivity, enhanced export opportunities and stimulate economic growth by fostering a robust value chain that benefit farmers, processors, herders, distributors and consumers alike.
“We’ve solved the problem, we have identified the models for livestock management, it is down in other countries, in other climes successfully promoted. It created great economy and empowerment for ordinary people. He disclosed that the federal government has ceased the opportunity to “reform the traditional livestock system, to add significant and sustainable value to Nigeria’s social economic growth and development “With all measures that is available to us, I don’t want us to turn this environment to another talk opportunity, I just want to inaugurate this community to ensure that I am ready. I assure you and Nigerian public that we need to create this economy, cease this opportunity.
“These ranches you recommend, and promote, I will work with it. And luckily, we have information and technology Ministers present too, herds of cows can be identified with chips and be tracked these days. If other technologies is available to us, we are ready to work. As I said from the beginning, with you, all of you, the solution is here and we must run with it. “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 Veterinary doctors can give us the necessary opportunity to rear, crossbreed and stop the wanton killings, even animal feeds 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 success of this programme and for the success of the entire nation. So we leave a Nigerian flag without stain to our children. “Let me take advantage of the presence here, to thank the former executive governor of Kano State and the chairman of All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje for assembling the best mind and experts to find solution by convening national conference on livestock reforms and mitigation of associate conflicts in Nigeria in February last here.
“The far reaching recommendation in their report, informed our decision to constitute and inaugurate this presidential committee on the implementation of livestock reforms and cease the great opportunity to better the live of our people, rather than the conflict promoted agenda.
“It is our renewed hope and I believe that hope is here. Trying to see a great opportunity for wealth in a situation that is very conducive. I must mention here that, I have discussed in a number of occasions with the governors, the need to cease this opportunity, let’s run with it from here.
“At this juncture, I will appeal to remove everything of partisan politics from it, assume the chairmanship of the committee as the president and appointed Attahiru Jega as my deputy or co-chair. And I asked 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 promote”.
Tinubu creates Ministry of Livestock Development
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday announced the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development.
The Ministry is expected to drive the livestock sector alongside other agriculture projects under the food sustainability program.
Read also: Nigeria opts for massive food importation to ease cost of living crisis The President disclosed this while inaugurating the Presidential livestock program.
This is a developing story. Details shortly…
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The President charged the governors who were represented at the event to revoke laws “that might inhibit the promotion and the actualization of our objective, the Attorney General is here, please give it a priority and budget and economic planning minister is here, find a budget head for it, and finance is here as well to work hard for the money
President Tinubu stated that his administration will insulate the new initiative from political manipulations.
