Due to the incessant conflicts between nomadic pastoralists and sedentary farmers in some parts of Nigeria which has led to thousands of lives and economic losses, President Bola Tinubu has created the Ministry of Livestock Development to address this crisis.
The President announced this in Abuja during the inauguration of members of the Livestock Reform Implementation Committee.
However, the Ministers to oversee the affairs of the Ministry are yet to be named, but the President appointed Professor Attahiru Jega as the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, of which he is the Chairman.
Professor Jega took over from the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
Responding to questions on whether Dr. Ganduje’s replacement meant a weakening relationship with the President, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, explained that his replacement had no political connotation.
He stressed that membership of the Committee was devoid of politics due to its sensitivity, hence the replacement of political officer holders from it to achieve the intended purpose.
“The struggle between herders and farmers in Nigeria over farmland and pasture is a serious and escalating conflict registering huge casualties and raising tensions, particularly in the country’s Middle Belt.
“Drought and desertification in the north have forced pastoralist herdsmen to seek grazing lands further south resulting in competition over resources and clashes with settled farmers.
“Moreover, they result in significant loss of lives and livelihoods, undermine food security, permit the proliferation of small arms, displace large numbers of people, and divert resources meant for development. Vulnerable groups such as women, children and youth, IDPs, and indigenous people are particularly impacted.”