President Bola Tinubu’s administration has approved the creation of a new ministry to address the longstanding conflict between herders and farmers, an issue particularly prevalent in Benue State: THE MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT.
This development was unveiled at the Presidential Villa during the launch of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms, signaling a significant step towards resolving this persistent challenge.
Earlier, in the midst of the conflict between herders and farmers, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) had asked for the creation of a Federal Ministry for Livestock and Fisheries that will work towards exploiting the potential in the sub-sector.
Alhaji Baba Usman Ngelzarma, MACBAN president, in a statement on Tuesday expressed his deepest appreciation to the federal government for creating the Ministry of Livestock Development to unlock the multi-trillion naira livestock economy and create qualitative and productive jobs across the value chain to improve the Nigerian economy.
He said, “The promise made by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to raise the productive capacity of the Nigerian agriculture to ensure food security is being fulfilled.
“We as an association had for years been agitating tooth and nail to actulise the creation of a stand-alone ministry to modernise livestock production system in line with global best practices.
“We assure the federal government of our support and commitment to ensure that livestock production is turned into a foreign exchange earner and reduce the farmer/herder conflicts and its related security challenges.
“The Nigerian pastoralists appreciate this historic development and will definitely reciprocate this great gesture.”
“On behalf of Chairman and members of the Board of trustees of MACBAN, his Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto and entire members of cattle Breeders association of Nigeria across the nation heartily congratulate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed forces for this wonderful development,” the statement added.