KACRAN Commends Tinubu, Buni Agricultural Programmes
By Bukar BOLORI
Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has commended President Bola Tinubu for Establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development and appreciated Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni’s Agricultural Empowerment Programmes.
The association commendation was expressed in a statement on Wednesday by its National President, Hon. Khalil Bello.
The statement read: “The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) extends its profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development. This significant move underscores the President’s genuine commitmentto resolving the long-standing Farmers/Herders conflicts in Nigeria.
“By establishing this Ministry and a special Commission dedicated to the development of the livestock sector, President Tinubu has demonstrated a historic level of dedication to addressing these critical issues.
“For many years, KACRAN has fervently advocated for the creation of a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, tasked with the comprehensive development of this vital yet neglected economic sector. This Ministry will work tirelessly to enhance livestock productivity and resolve the ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders, who are integral to each other’s livelihoods. We commend President Tinubu for his magnanimity and dedication to fostering peace, unity, and prosperity in Nigeria. Additionally, his robust financial support for the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is significantly contributing to the region’s overall development.”
The statement added that: “The appointment of Professor Attahiru Jega, a man of the highest repute, as Deputy Chairman of the Commission, further underscores President Tinubu’s resolve to end these conflicts. We are confident that these courageous steps will significantly boost the agricultural sector, ensuring that all livestock value chains, including dairy production, meat supplies, and hide and skin operations, function optimally, thereby generating substantial revenue for federal, state, and local governments and enhancing the nation’s GDP.
“We earnestly appeal to President Tinubu to appoint a dedicated, humble, honest, andtransparent individual as the Minister of the newly created Ministry of LivestockDevelopment. This appointment is crucial for realizing the President’s vision of adeveloped livestock sector that will create millions of job opportunities for ourburgeoning population engaged in livestock production.
“We, the leaders of Nigeria’s pastoralist community, who are key stakeholders inlivestock production, have full confidence in the Directorate of Animal Husbandry Services under the capable leadership of Dr Winnie Lai Solorin. Their dedication andsincerity towards the promotion and development of the livestock sector in Nigeria will by God’s grace, serve as a testament to President Tinubu’s commendable achievements during his tenure.
“We also take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to the ExecutiveGovernor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, for his generous distribution of 5,340 ruminants to women in Yobe State. This initiative, part of an agriculturalempowerment scheme providing three ruminants to ten beneficiaries in each of the state’s 178 wards, was announced during a multi-billion-naira agricultural empowerment program. This program was officially launched at the August 27 stadium in Damaturu on Saturday, July 20, 2024, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ably represented by Vice President Hon. Kashim Shettima.
“We immensely thank and highly appreciate Governor Buni’s gesture and kindnesstowards Yobe State farmers and pastoralists. KACRAN stands in support of any initiative by federal, state, or local governments, or individuals aimed at improving the well-being of Nigeria’s pastoralist communities, both men and women and Nigerians as a whole. We are also extremely grateful for the vital role Governor Buni has played through the Executive Secretary of State SEMA, Dr Mohammed Goje, in ensuring thatYobe State pastoralists are included in all SEMA policies and programs, including theprovision of animal feed and relief materials.”
The association also called on all Northern Governors to emulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Mai Mala Buni, in promoting the livestock sector andempowering pastoralists, noting that “by doing so, the dividends of democracy willreach the doorsteps of our pastoralist communities, regardless of their rural or remote locations.”
