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Tag: livestock ministry

  • Akume: Livestock ministry a strategic boost to Nigeria’s economic potential

    Akume: Livestock ministry a strategic boost to Nigeria’s economic potential

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has described the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as a clear demonstration of the government’s resolve to harness the vast and largely untapped economic potential of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

    Speaking on Tuesday at the Annual Blueprint Impact Series and Awards Ceremony in Abuja, the SGF said the livestock sector holds immense promise as a driver of socio-economic transformation, especially in rural communities.

    “The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development underscores the importance the President attaches to unlocking the vast potential in this sector. Nigeria is home to millions of livestock, yet we have barely scratched the surface of its economic possibilities — from meat and dairy production to hides, skins, and processed exports to regional and global markets”, Senator Akume stated.

    According to him, the Tinubu administration is committed to strategic investment, infrastructure development, value chain enhancement, and regional trade facilitation to reposition livestock as a cornerstone of the nation’s development efforts.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Akume added that the government is confident the sector will become a key pillar in driving inclusive growth, job creation, and rural revitalisation.

    The SGF also commended Blueprint newspaper for its consistency in promoting development journalism and recognising excellence in public service and private enterprise.

    He lauded the media organisation’s annual recognition event as a testament to its role in nation-building.

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    “The media is an indispensable ally and represents the compass needed for the attainment of national goals. You guard our conscience, inform public opinion, shape discourse, and hold leaders accountable. Most importantly, you promote solutions, innovations, and recognise success stories that can inspire progress across all sectors”, he said.

    Senator Akume noted that the theme of the event, Exploring Potentials of Livestock Exports in Nigeria, aligns perfectly with the policy direction of the present administration and its renewed commitment to diversifying the economy through agriculture and agribusiness.

    He also congratulated the awardees honoured at the event for their outstanding service and contributions to national progress, commending them for exemplifying sectoral leadership and dedication to excellence.

  • Livestock Ministry targets $74b contribution to GDP by 2035

    Livestock Ministry targets $74b contribution to GDP by 2035

    The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has said it aims to expand the livestock sector’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution from $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035.

    This, it said, would position itself as a key player in both domestic and international markets for animal protein, similar to leading producers like Brazil, Argentina, and the United States.

    Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made this known on Friday during a Ministerial press briefing in Abuja.

    According to the minister, the livestock sector is expected to generate over 500,000 new jobs helping to reduce unemployment and drive rural economic growth by 2027.

    Maiha noted that the ministry is already engaging stakeholders, including traditional rulers, development partners, and foreign embassies, to raise awareness of the sector’s potential.

    In just a short period, he said the ministry had established seven key departments within the ministry, all focused on enhancing the livestock value chain.

    In addressing one of the major challenges facing the livestock industry which is inadequate infrastructure, he said the ministry is revamping grazing reserves nationwide, equipping them with feed and fodder facilities, water resources, veterinary services, and schools for pastoral families.

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    “With more than 417 grazing reserves spanning over 5 million hectares, the government aims to transform these areas into economic hubs for beef production, dairy farming, and leather processing”.

    He added that the ministry has also secured significant investment commitments from international partners.

    “One of the most significant outcomes of these international engagements spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu was Brazil-Nigeria Trade Mission which secured a landmark $2.5 billion investment deal with JBS S.A, the world’s largest meat processing company.

    This partnership, he said, would establish large-scale meat processing plants for beef, poultry and pig production, create over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria’s meat industry and enhance the country’s participation in global livestock markets, thereby increasing exports to the Middle East, Europe and North Africa.

    Additionally, he said discussions were ongoing with private sector investors from the U.S., France, the U.K., China, and Morocco, among others, to further develop the sector.

  • Correctional Service partners Livestock Ministry to boost productivity, improve GDP

    Correctional Service partners Livestock Ministry to boost productivity, improve GDP

    The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has begun moves to collaborate with the Ministry of Livestock Development to boost productivity and improve Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    According to the public relations officer of the NCoS, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, the partnership hoped to leverage on manpower and skills of inmates who are being trained to become self-sufficient and contribute meaningfully to livestock development after their terms have been served. 

    He said farming, livestock development and other ventures have become parts of the reformatory policy of the Correctional Service to enhance output and for self development amongst inmates. 

    Abubakar said to achieve this, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, paid a landmark visit to the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Mukhtar Maiha in his office in Abuja. 

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    He added that the visit also aimed “to explore groundbreaking collaboration in the quest to harness the vast NCoS farm lands into viable economic hubs.”

    Abubakar disclosed that the Acting Controller-General explained various agricultural projects embarked upon by the NCoS to the Minister and sought areas of partnerships with the Ministry. 

     He said the NCoS have agricultural projects and production activities spread across the Country,  while seeking strategic partnership with the Ministry to reposition the farm centers for greater productivity. 

    “The Corrections farms formed parts of the reformatory efforts of the Service to give inmates a life time opportunity upon their discharged”, he said in a statement issued in Abuja. 

    The Minister acknowledged the efforts of the Acting Controller-General, saying that the visit was not only well thought out, but would provide solid foundation for enduring partnerships between the Ministry and the Correctional Service. 

    He expressed delight in the partnership, and said he is very excited in exploring the NCoS agricultural assets as it offers labour and secured farmlands to harness. 

    The Minister praised the visionary leadership of the Acting Controller-General, while pledging the Ministry’s support towards actualizing the mandates of the Service through the strategic partnership. 

  • Why livestock ministry must not be

    Why livestock ministry must not be

    Sir: The announcement of imminent establishment of a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development raises two important questions. First, is creating a 49th federal ministry consistent with the advertised objective of Tinubu administration to reduce the cost of governance through the Oronsaye Committee Report Implementation Committee? Second, is enhanced role for the federal government in livestock development consistent with reducing federal government’s functions as promised in president Tinubu’s 80-page manifesto that was released in 2022?

     While the seriousness and urgency of tackling livestock-related problems in the country are unquestionable, the solution is NOT in creating a federal ministry. After highlighting the terrible consequences of farmers/herders’ conflicts – “over 60,000 deaths across 22 states since 2001” – the PUNCH editorial of July 15 proffered an eminently sensible solution: “The solution lies in commercial cattle ranches, which must be the prerogative of the states [subnational governments] and private investors…The government should limit itself to technical and financial interventions to support settled ranchers” (bold and italics added). The contrary plea in the editorial of THE NATION on July 23 – “Creation of Ministry of Livestock Development should be given a chance” – is wrong-headed.

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    After the over-centralization of about 30 years of rule by brass hats had contributed hugely to the country’s persistent underdevelopment, a civilian president ought not to be foisting increased federal power on the country. The urgent first steps are: (i) immediate review of the distorted revenue allocation formular inherited from the military in 1999 by assigning 65 percent to subnational governments and 35 percent to the central government; and (ii) significant reduction in the central government’s legislative list that will be consistent with the new revenue allocation formular, similar to the provisions in 1954 and 1963 constitutions. At a stroke, an overpowerful and overreaching central government that is funding the establishment of Development Commissions for geopolitical zones and the creation of a new federal ministry will become history. 

    •Professor Ladipo Adamolekun, Fairfax, Virginia, USA