The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has praised President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development.
In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, the President of MACBAN, expressed that this move would unlock the trillion-naira livestock economy and generate productive jobs across the livestock value chain, thereby boosting the Nigerian economy.
“With this development, MACBAN believes the hope of the Nigerian pastoralists is now achieved under the Renew Hope Agenda. The promise made by President Tinubu to raise the productive capacity of Nigerian agriculture to ensure food security is being fulfilled,” Othman-Ngelzarma stated.
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He highlighted that MACBAN had long advocated for a dedicated ministry to modernize livestock production in line with global best practices.
He pledged the association’s support to the federal government to turn livestock production into a foreign exchange earner and to reduce farmer-herder conflicts and related security challenges.
“Nigerian pastoralists appreciate this historic development and will reciprocate the gesture,” he added. Othman-Ngelzarma also extended congratulations to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces on behalf of the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees of MACBAN, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the entire Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.
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President Tinubu announced the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Livestock Reform Implementation Committee at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja. Tinubu, who chairs the committee, named Prof. Attahiru Jega as the co-chair.
“This presents a unique opportunity to delineate and establish a separate ministry called the Ministry of Livestock Development. We will develop the economy and give people the opportunity to excel.
Our vet doctors can provide the necessary expertise to rear, crossbreed, and stop the wanton killings. Even animal feeds represent a huge economy,” Tinubu remarked.
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The inauguration was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen. George Akume, and Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.