*It’s to Address Obstacles to Agricultural Productivity
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday in Abuja inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms to address obstacles to agricultural productivity and open up new opportunities which benefit farmers, herders, processors, and distributors in the livestock-farming value chain.
The President appointed former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, as Co-Chairman of the Committee.
President Tinubu emphasized that the implementation of the reforms will require the collective efforts of members of the committee, drawn from the public and private sectors, state governors, and all Nigerians.
“From here, I will appeal to everyone to remove every iota of partisan politics from this. I will assume the chairmanship of the committee as President and appoint Professor Attahiru Jega as my deputy or co-chair.
“This is not about politics; this is about opportunity. This is about our nation. While I may be absent, Jega will preside and continue to promote our objectives,’’ the President said.
Inaugurating the committee in the Council Chamber at the State House, the President thanked the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje for his efforts in assembling experienced and reputable experts to ensure the activation of opportunities in the livestock sector, stating that a Ministry of Livestock Development will be created to further explore the potential in the area.
“When we have great opportunities in our states, why should Nigerians continue to experience conflicts?
“With the calibre of people that are here, this presents a unique opportunity also to delineate and establish a centric ministry called the Ministry of Livestock Development. It will give us the opportunity so that our veterinary doctors can have the necessary access to research and cross-breed. We can stop the wanton killings,’’ President Tinubu stated.
The President noted that the traditional method of livestock farming will need to be reviewed and repositioned with the support of stakeholders, which include state governments, in order to open up new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
President Tinubu said the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) will ensure the removal of all legal obstacles to the implementation of the reforms, while the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani will provide support with automation.
“Modern technology is available to us. We are ready to work. I said at the beginning, with you, all of you, the solution is here, and we must run with it. Any law that might inhibit the promotion and actualization of our objectives, the Attorney-General is here, please give it a priority; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning is here; create a budget for it to grow, and the Minister of Finance is here as well to work out the money,’’ the President stated.
The President also said the reforms will be comprehensive and collective, urging the support of all stakeholders.
“We need to provide the incentive to enable Nigeria to finally take advantage of livestock farming; dairy products and cold-chain logistics collectively offer substantial commercial and economic advantages. We have seen solutions and opportunities. With these adversities that have plagued us over the years, I believe that prosperity is here – in your hands.
Transcript of what President Tinubu said about the new livestock reform\
“I’m here before you to inaugurate the committee for the implementation of the livestock in our beloved country. First, I must say thank you very much to those who said the solution is far, I said no, the solution is here. With these distinguished personalities, the name, the intellectual capacity, the majority of you have great experience and you want Nigeria to prosper.
“First and foremost, to provide impetus to enable Nigeria to finally take advantage of livestock farming, dairy products, cold chain logistics, collectively offers substantial commercial and economic advantages.
We have seen the solution and opportunity, with this adversity that has plagued us over the years, and I believe prosperity is here in your hands.
“The dairy industry contributes significantly to nutrition and food security that supply essential proteins and vitamins through milk and its derivatives such as chess, yoghurt, butter and economic advantages. Efficient cold-chain, logistics are crucial in maintaining the quality and safety of these perishable goods from farm to market, thereby reducing food waste and ensuring a steady supply.
“This sector will boost agricultural productivity, enhance export opportunities and stimulate economic growth by fostering a robust value chain that benefits farmers, processors, herders, distributors and consumers alike.
“Let me take advantage of the presence here, to thank the former executive governor of Kano State and the chairman of All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, for assembling the best minds and experts to find solution by convening national conference on livestock reforms and mitigation of associate conflicts in Nigeria in February last here.
“The far reaching recommendation in their report informed our decision to constitute and inaugurate this presidential committee on the implementation of livestock reforms and cease the great opportunity to better the lives of our people, rather than the conflict-promoted agenda.
“It is our renewed hope and I believe that hope is here in trying to see a great opportunity for wealth in a situation that is very conducive. I must mention here that I have discussed on a number of occasions with the governors, the need to seize this opportunity, let’s run with it from here.
“At this juncture, I will appeal to remove everything of partisan politics from it, assume the chairmanship of the committee as the president and appointed Professor Attahiru Jega as my deputy or co-chair. And I asked Dr Ganduje, we say thank you, just remove yourself so that anything of politics in this environment will be erased completely. This is not about politics, this is about opportunity, this is about our nation. So, while I may be absent, Jega will preside and contribute to the promotion.
“We’ve solved the problem, we have identified the models for livestock management, it is done in other countries, in other climes successfully promoted. It created a great economy and empowerment for ordinary people.
“Traditional livestock systems must be reformed to add significant and sustainable value to Nigeria’s social economic growth and development. With all the measures that are available to us.
“I don’t want us to turn this environment into another talk opportunity, I just want to inaugurate this community to ensure that I am ready. I assure you and the Nigerian public that we need to create this economy, seize this opportunity. These ranches you recommend, and promote, I will work with. And luckily, we have information and technology minister present too, herds of cows can be identified with chips and be tracked these days. If other technologies are available to us, we are ready to work. As I said from the beginning, with you, all of you, the solution is here and we must run with it.
“The governors are hereby represented, any law that might inhibit the promotion and the actualisation of our objective, the Attorney General is here, please give it a priority and budget and economic planning minister is here, find a budget head for it to grow and finance is here as well to work hard for the money.
“When you have a great opportunity like this, why should Nigeria continue in conflict with the calibre of the people that are here?
“This presents a unique opportunity also to delineate and establish a separate ministry called the Ministry of Livestock Development. We will develop the economy, give people the opportunity to excel. Our vet doctors can give us the necessary opportunity to rear, crossbreed and stop the wanton killings, even animal feeds is a huge economy.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I hereby inaugurate the Renewed Hope Livestock Reform Implementation Committee in Nigeria. It is now in your hands. We are ready to work for the success of this programme and for the success of the entire nation. So we leave a Nigerian flag without stain to our children.