The Federal Government has asked all cattle rearers across Nigeria to move their animals into grazing reserves as part of effort to end persistent farmer/herder clashes in Nigeria.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made the call during a two-day Media Retreat for journalists reporting on the sector, on Monday in Abuja.
The minister revealed that a roundtable dialogue has been convened with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad III, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and other stakeholders to ensure that no cows or other animals are allowed to roam the cities and towns in search of pasture, but should be moved to ranches in line with efforts to bring about lasting peace.
“All the animals roaming Abuja city centre will have to be relocated to the grazing reserves. And we mean it, and we are going to do it; it is going to happen.
“We want peace, we need peace to develop. We are working with every government and every security agency in this country to achieve that,” the minister stated.
He adds that the ministry will launch a national peace campaign aimed at establishing sustainable peace between farmers and herders, as well as between ethnic groups and warring communities across Nigeria.
The minister explained that recently, “We had a deep engagement with the MACBAN in Abuja, chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, that is the first test case.
“We are working with all the security agencies to silence the guns. Our view is that our countryside should have tractors and not armoured personnel carriers, milking machines should replace machine guns, and tractors should replace armoured vehicles.”
He urged the media to shift the narrative from stigma to enlightenment, enabling Nigerians to gain a better understanding of the sector. According to him, for the sector to develop, everyone must be on board.
“I believe between you and us, if we engage in communication-sensitive areas and report on suggested ways out, rather than just reporting without deep investigations, it will take us a long way,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, pointed out that the retreat aims to enhance the skills of livestock reporters, foster a collaborative environment for open and friendly interactions, and equip journalists with essential skills for reporting on the livestock sector.
Represented by the Director of Ruminants and Monogastric Development, Victor Egbon, Akujobi stated that the theme of the retreat, ‘Driving Livestock Growth Through Strategic Communication’, highlights the crucial role of effective communication in promoting the objectives of the livestock sector.
She said, “Your reporting has been instrumental in shaping public understanding of our policies and influencing the responses of farmers, gatherers, investors, and other stakeholders to our initiatives.”
