Herders Applaud Tinubu, Buni’s Agricultural Programmes

Herders under the auspices of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) have applauded President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development and praised Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni’s Agricultural Empowerment Programmes.

Hon. Khalil Bello, the association’s National President, issued a statement expressing his appreciation on Wednesday.

The statement read: “The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) expresses heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development. This significant move demonstrates the President’s genuine commitment to resolving Nigeria’s long-standing farmers/herders conflict.

“By establishing this Ministry and a special Commission dedicated to the development of the livestock sector, President Tinubu has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to addressing these critical issues.

“For many years, KACRAN has fervently advocated for the establishment of a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, tasked with the comprehensive development of this critical but underutilised economic sector. This Ministry will work tirelessly to increase livestock productivity and resolve ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders, who rely on each other’s livelihoods. We applaud President Tinubu’s magnanimity and commitment to promoting peace, unity, and prosperity in Nigeria. Furthermore, his generous financial support for the North East Development Commission (NEDC) contributes significantly to the region’s overall development.”

According to the statement, the appointment of Professor Attahiru Jega, a man of high repute, as Deputy Chairman of the Commission, underscores President Tinubu’s determination to put an end to these conflicts. We are confident that these bold steps will significantly boost the agricultural sector by ensuring that all livestock value chains, including dairy production, meat supplies, and hide and skin operations, run smoothly, generating significant revenue for federal, state, and local governments and increasing the country’s GDP.

“We respectfully request that President Tinubu appoint a dedicated, humble, honest, and transparent individual as the Minister of the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development. This appointment is critical to realising the President’s vision of a developed livestock sector that will generate millions of job opportunities for our rapidly growing livestock production workforce.

“We, the leaders of Nigeria’s pastoralist community and key stakeholders in livestock production have complete faith in Dr Winnie Lai Solorin’s capable leadership of the Directorate of Animal Husbandry Services.” Their dedication and sincerity in promoting and developing Nigeria’s livestock sector will, by God’s grace, stand as a testament to President Tinubu’s commendable achievements during his tenure.

“We also want to thank the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, for generously distributing 5,340 ruminants to women in Yobe State. This initiative is part of an agricultural empowerment scheme that provides three ruminants to ten beneficiaries in each of the state’s 178 wards. It was announced during a multibillion-dollar agricultural empowerment program. On Saturday, July 20, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially launched this program at Damaturu’s August 27 Stadium, ably represented by Vice President Hon. Kashim Shettima.

“We sincerely thank and appreciate Governor Buni’s gesture and kindness to Yobe State farmers and pastoralists.” KACRAN supports any initiative by federal, state, or local governments, or individuals, that aims to improve the well-being of Nigeria’s pastoralist communities, both men and women, as well as Nigerians in general. We are also grateful for Governor Buni’s efforts, through the Executive Secretary of State SEMA, Dr Mohammed Goje, to ensure that Yobe State pastoralists are included in all SEMA policies and programs, including the provision of animal feed and relief materials.”

The association also urged all Northern Governors to emulate President Bola Ahmed.
Tinubu and Governor Mai Mala Buni emphasised the importance of promoting the livestock sector and empowering pastoralists, stating that “the dividends of democracy will reach the doorsteps of our pastoralist communities, regardless of their rural or remote locations.”