President Bola Tinubu has approved the formation of a Presidential Committee devoted to overhauling the livestock business and finding long-term solutions to the country’s frequent confrontations between herders and farmers.
Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, announced this in a statement on Thursday.
The Committee was formed in response to the submission of a report from Nigeria’s National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Conflict Mitigation.
Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, former Executive Governor of Kano State and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), hosted the Conference.
According to the President, the Committee would work with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to provide suggestions to promote peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers while guaranteeing the security and economic well-being of all Nigerians.
“The Federal Government is fully prepared to cover the land’s cost. These opportunities will provide gainful employment for our veterinary doctors while opening doors for the private sector as new educational opportunities for herders’ and their children emerge. Medical facilities will be established. This is a life-changing opportunity that we have.
“Imagine us producing enough milk for our school children. Imagine us becoming net exporters of cheese and yoghurt. Imagine us producing the skin massively with a major Nigerian leather industry. Imagine us providing cold storage facilities and employment across the nation. These things are possible in front of us,” the President stated.
President Tinubu commended Ganduje for assembling the best minds and experts to solve the perennial issues between pastoralists and farmers.
He also praised the committee members for their diligent work examining the complex livestock management, land use, and security issues.
“Out of every tragedy, you will see an opportunity if you are careful. We have faced this conflict for some time. We know it is a homegrown problem. It is very hard for people to avoid their traditional, old ways.
“I tried in 2018 to bring about a solution to this problem, but it proved elusive. But I’ve been told never to give up, and today, I believe the solution is here,” the President stated, referring to the committee report containing several recommendations.
“It is not the fault of herders and farmers that this crisis has persisted. It is the fault of the leadership who failed to find immediate solutions to solve their problems. Leadership is about thinking and doing,” he said.
In his remarks, Ganduje recalled that during his tenure as the Governor of Kano State, he had hosted the National Conference as part of a deliberate effort to promote the modernization of livestock production while strengthening the capacity of local authorities to manage relationships and amicably resolve conflicts between herders and farmers.
He noted that Kano had remained one of the most peaceful states in the country throughout his eight years in office.
“Mr President, I am convinced that the report submitted here today has the antidote to the problems of the livestock industry. It addresses the key reforms and presents various development options required for the sector’s sustainable development.
“The implementation of the proposals will enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, promote environmental conservation, address substantial causes of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, and help reduce the cost of importation for animal products like milk and beef,” he stated.