Nigeria’s seat of power, the Presidential Villa was quite busy on Thursday, as stakeholders in the livestock value chain converged in their numbers to brianstorm on ways of harnessing its potentials.
The President, Bola Tinubu who recently created the Livestock Ministry out of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is championing reforms in the sector, a reason that justified his hosting of the stakeholders forum at the Presidential Villa.
The President pledged to overhaul the often neglected livestock sector in a bid to cut an annual import bill of $1.5billion and stimulate economic growth as well as create jobs.
Unbundling his plans for the sector while speaking at a Stakeholders Consultative Workshop at the State House, Tinubu who doubles as the chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, wondered why Nigeria can’t meet basic nutrition needs, such as providing school children with milk.
“This is a very important sector,” he stated. “We are going to give it all it needs to bring value to our country.”
Criticising Nigeria’s failure to meet basic nutritional needs, particularly in providing school children with milk, he said, “It’s about time that we do it right. A country of over 200 million people cannot serve our children one pint of milk in the classroom per day.”
Tinubu expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, assuring them, “You will not regret the collaboration and the investment coming into this sector.”
While highlighting the long-neglected livestock industry as a significant opportunity for economic development, he stated saying, “We can contribute so much to Nigeria’s GDP and provide decent jobs.”
The President however acknowledged past oversights in investment opportunities within the sector. “And when I inaugurated the livestock committee, I didn’t see the path clearly until they started working. We will create the environment where the business will thrive.
”It is our duty to our children and future generations to get it right. Let’s unite in our effort. From reform to realisation of our dream. I stand before you fully committed,” he assured.
Regarding his vision for the livestock sector, Tinubu said he aims to transition from a subsistence model to a thriving commercial industry. “Yes, we can do it; we can bring prosperity to our people,” he declared. “From grass, we can achieve grace”, he added.
He also congratulated newly formed Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, tasked with laying out actionable strategies for the transformation.
Tinubu commended the committee for their efforts and reiterated his administration’s commitment: “There’s no excuse for neglecting this vital sector any longer.”
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, while lauding President Tinubu’s recent initiatives aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector, expressed believes it will enhance food security and mitigate conflicts between herders and farmers.
“I want to thank Mr. President for deepening the effort to achieve food security through livestock reforms,” he stated, emphasising the importance of these initiatives for both food and national security.
AbdulRazaq assured of full support from subnational governments, saying, “I want to assure you 100% buy-in of subnationals to make this a success.”
