The Livestock Reforms Committee is not wasting time on its mandate to introduce reforms into the promotion of livestock farming and management, as well as bringing peace to the environment. The Committee is due to submit its first report to President Bola Tinubu in August, which is about two weeks away. Recall that the Committee was inaugurated early this month. This was disclosed by the Co-Chairman of the Committee, Professor Attahiru Jega in Abuja. Jega in the company of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the report will add tremendous value to the livestock sector and mitigate associated crises, while providing a lasting solution to the lingering conflicts between farmers and herders.
Jega, one time president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acknowledged the challenges, but emphasized that the committee is focused on getting it right, highlighting the readiness of various stakeholders in the livestock sector to partner and engage in ensuring sustainable solutions.
He said, “Maximum in the next two weeks, we should be able to present a report to Mr. President, from which then we can begin the process of actual implementation. I believe that the challenges have been many, and I will not say it is not going to be difficult. It will be difficult, but it is not impossible to actually get it right and I know that all the members of the committee are focused in terms of ensuring that we get this thing right”.
Jega expressed confidence that if the recommendations are successfully implemented, it could add tremendous value in terms of achieving those defined objectives, of opening up the opportunities in the livestock sector and also helping mitigate crisis and conflicts which are associated with this sector. Hear him, “Certainly, I have, personally, very high hopes in terms of what value the work of our committee will add, but we are a committee to guide implementation, we are not the implementers. A range of stakeholders have to be mobilised so that we’ll all join hands in order to ensure successful implementation of these reform measures.
So far, according to the former INEC chairman, there is hope that the efforts will meet with success, judging from the experience on the committee. He said, “I’m very happy, from what I have seen so far about the readiness of a multiplicity of stakeholders in all the value chain in the livestock sector, who are willing and ready to partner and to engage and to ensure that we have sustainable solutions to the challenges that are traditionally associated with this sector.”
But the blueprint, going by the confidence enthused by Professor Jega, will excite nigeroans. “Nigerians can expect a comprehensive report that will guide the implementation of reform measures, paving the way for a more peaceful and productive livestock sector”, he said.
In his contribution, the Minister of FMAFS Abubakar Kyari, expressed excitement and optimism about President Tinubu’s bold initiative on livestock reforms praising the appointment of Professor Attahiru Jega as co-chair, citing his integrity and commitment.
Kyari revealed that the President is anxious for the initiative to take off, and a new ministry has been created to oversee its implementation immediately after the committee submits its report.
He emphasised the enormous potential of the livestock sector, citing wealth creation, job creation, and nutrition for food security. He also highlighted the initiative’s goal of mitigating conflicts between herders and farmers.