The Federal Government on Monday urged state governments and other stakeholders to invest in livestock sector as driver of economic diversification, food security, rural development and peace building.
The Minister for Livestock, Mr Idi Maiha, made the call at the National Council on Livestock Development (NCLD) in Yola with the theme “Livestock Rebirth: Accelerating Renewed Hope.”
He said the gathering is not merely a meeting, but a testament to collective resolve to forge a new, prosperous and peaceful future for Nigeria’s livestock sector.
According to him, the council aims to coordinate national strategies and reforms that foster collaboration, attract investment and transform the livestock sector.
He added that “the decisions we make here in Yola will echo across our nation for generations. Let us leave this maiden council with renewed spirit of cooperation and firm commitment to a single, national agenda.
“Let us work together to transform our livestock sector into a beacon of prosperity, a source of national pride, a shared prosperity and a guarantor of peace and food security for all Nigerians.”
In her address, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He added that “it is an agenda that prioritises food security, economic diversification, value addition, job creation and export growth.”
Akujobi said the livestock sector, with its vast potential, is a key pillar in achieving these national aspirations.
She said “I am optimistic that together, we can rekindle hope, reimagine possibilities and redefine the future of livestock development in Nigeria.”
Sen. Musa Mustapha, the Chairman, House Committee on Livestock, assured legislative support that would unlock the potential in the livestock sector in the country.
He noted that “as chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock Development, I reaffirm the full commitment of the National Assembly to providing legislative support, effective oversight and policies that will unlock the vast potential of this sector.
“We stand ready to partner the ministry and all other critical stakeholders represented here to ensure that livestock development becomes a sustainable engine of national prosperity.”
