By Our Reporter

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has said that the federal government would not relent in its efforts to unlock the potentials of the livestock industry and address the long-standing conflict that have existed between the herders and farmers that threatened national food and nutritional security.

Maiha, who spoke on Thursday while declaring open a Leadership Summit of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association NMVA in Abuja, said President Bola Tinubu administration remain committed to supporting livestock sector and ensure its growth and sustainability for socio-economic development of the country.

The minister, who was represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the country, Dr. Columba Vakuru noted that one of the most significant milestones achieved under the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu was the creation of the new Ministry of Livestock Development.

He explained that the ministry was created with a clear vision to unlock the potentials of the livestock industry and address the long-standing conflict that have existed between the herders and farmers that threatened national food and nutritional security.

The minister said the ministry in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders is working hard to identify and solve the challenges that bring about under-development in the sector.

“The ministry is working hard to bring about lasting solutions to identified challenges through consultative and all-inclusive strategy. This requires good leadership, better governance, informed policies and effective collaboration across all stakeholders,” he stressed.

Maiha emphasized that the ministry is fully on course and committed to the actualization of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“For instance, a newly constructed forty (40) million doses capacity, solar powered national strategic vaccine cold room storage has just been commissioned in Abuja.

“This will greatly improve our ability to prevent, manage and control diseases that threaten the livestock sector which holds immense potentials for economic growth, food security, wealth and job creation across the country,” he added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the National President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Moses Arokoyo, said “we live in a world that has not just become a global village, but has a dynamism of change which bring about emerging and re-emerging diseases where we have witnessed multiple outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in quick succession this year.”

Arokoyo, therefore, emphasized that their role as veterinarians in raising awareness on emerging zoonotic threats, promoting animal welfare, advancing scientific research and making known the effects of climate change can no longer be handled with levity, and assured commitments to contribute for the development of livestock in Nigeria and diseases control, ensure public health and safety.

“With the creation of the ministry, we must ensure our potentials are properly harnessed and our role as veterinarians we play it to ensure there is wholesome meat and there is public health and zoonotic diseases are controlled. These are some of the ideas and strategies to contribute to national development,” he said.

Also speaking, the President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, VCN, Dr. Aisha Abubakar Baju said President Bola Tinubu administration is passionate about livestock development, thus the creation of the ministry and the Council is committed in ensuring collaborative effort in livestock development in Nigeria

“Coming up with the ministry and the Committee on Implementation of Livestock Development Reform is a fantastic development and we, at the Council are committed to align with Mr. President to achieve success in his Renewed Hope agenda of economic development,” she said.

The president assured that the Council would ensure quality leadership for the development of the veterinary profession and professionals to attain its rightful position in governance and socio- economic development of the country.