By Uche Onyeali, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, has announced the creation of Federal Ministry of Livestock Development with a view to providing solution to the persistent clashes between migrating pastoralists and farmers in Nigeria
Tinubu, approved creation of the ministry yesterday when he inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms, at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
Announcing the new ministry, he said: “Who says the solution is far? I say ‘no”, the solution is here. Majority of you have great experience and you want Nigeria to prosper.
“To enable Nigeria to finally take advantage of livestock farming, we have seen the solution and opportunity for this adversity that has plagued us over the years and I believe the prosperity is here in our hands”, the President noted.
The Federal Government, according to Tinubu, was fully prepared to cover the cost of acquiring lands to ensure the peaceful co-existence of pastoralists and farmers.
Meanwhile, the President will chair the Committee on Livestock Reforms, a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega is the deputy chairman.
The committee is expected to propose recommendations aimed at fostering a peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers, ensuring the security and economic well-being of Nigerians.
Tinubu’s announcement comes 10 months after he approved the establishment of the presidential committee to address herders and farmers’ clashes and bolster livestock and dairy industries.
He set up the committee after receiving a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria.
Present at the Inauguration were Vice,- President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila and other senior government officials in his cabinet.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that the committee, chaired by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, gave President Tinubu 21 recommendations, including creating a Ministry of Livestock Resources.
