Tag: Livestock

ABUJA- Dr Winnie Lai-Solarin, former director at the Ministry of Livestock Development, has stressed the importance of the livestock sector in promoting stability and national growth.

Lai-Solarin made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during her retirement and 60th birthday celebration, organised in her honour by staff of the ministry in Abuja.

She stressed the need to raise awareness among Nigerians to help them better appreciate the sector’s significance.

“The sooner people understand the importance of the livestock sector, the easier it will be to manage and reduce crises and conflicts,” she said.

She added that such understanding is necessary for Nigerians to fully benefit from the sector’s potential.

Lai-Solarin expressed her gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, calling him a visionary leader for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

“His decision to create a dedicated ministry for livestock, which many others were reluctant to do, was a bold and visionary move.

“Setting up the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reform Implementation was another strategic initiative,” she added.

She revealed that she was a member of the committee, co-chaired by Prof. Attahiru Jega, and made up of seasoned professionals tasked with repositioning the livestock sector.

Reflecting on her career, Lai-Solarin expressed joy and fulfilment, having served for 34 years, in addition to one year as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.

She encouraged civil servants to redefine the public service culture by adopting a more proactive and accountable approach.

She explained that merging a private sector mindset with public service ethics proved successful in her career.

“That way, you don’t wait to be praised or bribed before doing the right thing.

“You do the right thing because it is your duty; to both God and humanity”.

Hakeem Ibolade, Deputy Director, Ranch and Pastoral Resources Development at the ministry, praised Lai-Solarin’s leadership, noting that her departure would leave a void.

“She brought out the best in those willing to learn. We will miss her frankness, her camaraderie, and the way she carried everyone along.

“She leaves behind a vacuum that will be difficult to fill,” Ibolade said.

Also, Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Tinubu, called Lai-Solarin a beacon of hope, a shining light, and a pillar of her community.

Ribadu was represented at the event by Alhaji Uba DariArewa, National President of the Okra Farmers Processing and Marketing Association of Nigeria.

Several directors from the Federal Ministries of Livestock Development and Agriculture and Food Security, along with union members, paid glowing tributes to the retired director. (NAN)

Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have recovered livestock allegedly rustled from border communities.

The command in a statement through its spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, indicated that the rustled animals comprised 47 sheep, 4 rams, 2 goats, and 1 donkey.

“On December 5, 2024, a suspect, 38-year-old Ibrahim Umaru of Jammel Village, Jacusko LGA, was arrested in possession of the stolen animals during a police patrol in Babbangida, Tarmuwa LGA.

“The suspect allegedly stole the animals from the Nigeria-Chad border area”, he explained.

The Command’s PPRO appealed to owners to visit the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Headquarters with credible evidence of ownership for immediate collection.

“The suspect has been arraigned in court and convicted”, he said.

The State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ado, via the spokesperson, encouraged the public to report missing items to the nearest police station to enable police operatives facilitate quick search and possible recoveries.

BRAZIL- President Bola Tinubu says his administration’s renewed focus in driving international and local investments into the livestock sector will end farmer-herder clashes.

Tinubu said this on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Nigerian Government and the JBS S.A, one of the top three largest meat processing companies globally.

“What we are doing right now is that we are solving a problem that afflicts humanity in that part of Africa.

“Clashes between farmers and migrating cows that have caused some lives and bloodshed when there is a modern, civilized way to solve those problems and even bring a successful economy out of it.

“We are trying to turn a situation of tragedy, hopelessness into economic opportunity, see through problems and see the opportunity that is involved in it,” he said.

The Nigerian leader called on the company to see the considerable potential in the $2.5 billion livestock investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially with its huge population and tap into it.

“We’ve heard so much about you in terms of the reputation, and we believe in the partnership we are forging today.

“Food security is extremely important. As we talk right now, there is hunger. However, there is huge hope. And you are one of those hopes that we are looking at,” said the president.

He told the JBS top executives that Nigeria was ready to do business with them, assuring them of a good return on their investment.

Prior to his visit to Brazil, the president had commissioned a team of Nigerian officials and private sector players to take advantage of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio to conduct a study tour of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

He charged them to explore the opportunities in livestock development, meat processing, seed development and multiplication for key grains.

In his remarks, Idi Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development, who led the delegation, said the team embarked on extended tours of companies on their operations, as well as the deployment of technology.

He added that from their interactions with various companies, JBS S.A. was chosen being the second largest meat processing company in the world.

Maiha said the company had the capacity to process 33,000 cattle daily and over eight million birds daily, using advanced zero-waste practices.

The company employs over 200,000 people across its subsidiaries in more than 50 countries in the world including United States, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia among others.

Mr Wesley Batista, founder and President of the JBS group, said the company was the largest employer of labour in Brazil with over $79 billion dollars revenue already in 2024.

“We are glad to work with Nigeria to work together to develop the livestock industry there.

“We think it’s a good opportunity for our business in Nigeria and Africa as we believe Nigeria can be the center of supply of protein to many countries in Africa.

“We look forward to working with you. We are almost in December and this year is almost gone. We hope to be in Nigeria as soon as possible,” he said.

Other members of the delegation included Hon. Aliyu Sabi-Abdullahi, Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security as well as Prof. Attahiru Jega,, Co-chairman Presidential Livestock Reform Committee.

Others were: Prof. Mohammed Yahya, the Secretary of the Committee and Aisha Rimi, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Investment Promotion Council. (NAN)

By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

JALINGO – Taraba State Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Mr Nicholas Namessan has disclosed that the State has put in place all measures and is ready for the take off of Federal Government’s livestock service centre through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).

Namessan disclosed this while interacting with National officials of the project who were in the State to access the level of readiness of the State for siting of the project.

The Commissioner disclosed that the state has already set aside 1000 hectares of suitable land with access to markets and electricity and is ready to fully support the federal government for the implementation of the project in the state.

According to Namessan, “Taraba State has 50-60% of the Livestock in the Northeast, and the largest concentration of livestock in an area which is on the Mambila Plateau. Taraba State is Third largest State in Nigeria in terms of landmass, has the longest stretch of the river Benue, and our livestock centres are situated within the state and not on the boarders as is the case with other States. This tells you that the livestock we have here are homegrown and not those coming in from neighbouring countries.

“As a State government, we strongly believe that we have the potentials to supply all the livestock needs of the country especially when it comes to beef and other diary products. All we need is to properly harness these potentials and this is what the livestock service centre project presents. That is why we are not taking it lightly.

“Nigeria can generate a lot more revenue from livestock than crop farming. The unfortunate reality is that, little attention has been given to the sector over the years. We have allowed primitive practices to prevail and have refused to embrace innovations and global best practices. Now is the right time to change the narrative and embrace the opportunities that come with doing it right”.

Dr Wasiu Adeoye, Technical Operations Manager TOM, Project Headquarters Abuja, who led the delegation to Taraba said that the team was impressed with the level of preparation of the State government.

Adeoye noted that the size of the land and it’s position is really attractive as it is close to an airport, a major market and easily accessible. He assured that the team will consider every other parameters and would love to have the Livestock Service Centre operational in the State.

Our Correspondent reports that the Five man team from the project headquarters in Abuja, in company with the State team and Special Adviser to the State Governor on Agriculture and food security Engineer Hassan Maikasuwa, visited the proposed site for the Livestock Centre in Ardo Kola local government area of the State where they interacted with the community folks before proceeding to inspect the site and paid a courtesy call on the State Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and food security Mr Nicholas Namessan.

12 States are contesting the Five slots available for the World Bank sponsored projects.