President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Committee dedicated to reforming the livestock industry and finding lasting solutions to the recurrent conflicts between herders and farmers in the country. This announcement was made by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, in a statement on Thursday.
The decision to create this Committee followed the submission of a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria. This conference was convened by Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, the former Executive Governor of Kano State and Chairman of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC).
President Tinubu elaborated that the Committee’s primary task is to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to propose recommendations that will promote peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers while ensuring the security and economic well-being of all Nigerians. He emphasized the government’s commitment to covering the cost of land and outlined the potential benefits, including employment opportunities for veterinary doctors, educational opportunities for herders and their children, the development of medical facilities, and the growth of Nigeria’s leather industry.
The President praised Ganduje for assembling a team of experts to address the long-standing issues between pastoralists and farmers and commended the Committee members for their diligent work in examining the intricate aspects of livestock management, land use, and security challenges.
President Tinubu highlighted that the persistent crisis between herders and farmers is a result of leadership failures to find prompt solutions to their problems. He expressed optimism that the Committee’s report, which contains various recommendations, holds the key to resolving this crisis.
Ganduje, in his remarks, recalled hosting the National Conference during his tenure as Governor of Kano State, aiming to modernize livestock production and enhance the capacity of local authorities to manage relationships and resolve conflicts between herders and farmers amicably. He emphasized the report’s potential to drive key reforms and development options in the livestock sector, which can lead to increased productivity, improved livelihoods, environmental conservation, and a reduction in the cost of importing animal products like milk and beef.
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