Ismail Bayo, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has said
the APC-led Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari in the last few
years had invested huge funds for the development of the Pastoral subsector of
the nation's economy.
A statement by the governor's media aide, Yahya Sarki
said Bagudu disclosed this on Saturday while declaring open the High Level
Dialogue on pastoralism in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
It said the governor also said that the Federal
Government has set up a committee that is currently auditing grazing reserves
across Nigeria. He said" President Muhammadu Buhari has directed us to
collaborate with Benin Republic on rice production.
"We will now quickly push to ensure that
pastoralism is also included in the above direction.
" I am optimistic that Buhari will extend any
support we need in order to achieve these laudable objectives for Nigeria ,
Niger and Benin Republics, as well as
West Africa and Africa, in general", the statement said.
It added that Bagudu further noted that animal husbandry is a very important resource for west Africa, hence, should be fully explored and exploited. And that the enormous potentials of the subsector must be fully harnessed. "I am glad that the event has underscored these budding potentials.
"These resources must be supported so as to put
them to proper use , in order to get the desired results. The sub sector in
West Africa needs more funding and there are handsome returns on such
investments", it said.
According to the statement, the governor explained
that the event was organized as part of the activities lined up to round off
the West Africa Integrated and Secure Pastoralism Project Regional Sahel
Pastoralism Support Project Africa Union Border Program with the view to
finding the ways to fully develop the sub sector.
The Kebbi State Governor described pastoralists as
very hard working but lamented their unfortunate victimization due to the
criminal activities of few of them. "I am elated with the training of
media personnel as part of efforts to remedy the obnoxious trend", he
said.
The governor said his administration is paying special attention to Fulani women to help them to modernize their trades and their children to get sound education ." They are now being assisted to make yoghurt and have many other value additions in this direction," he added.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commissioner for
Animal Health and Fisheries, Aminu Garba
Dandiga while appreciating the support of Governor Bagudu for the success of
the workshop commended the participants from Benin, Niger and Nigeria and other
stakeholders.
He said at the end of the deliberations by the
participating countries, the recommendations arrived at would be submitted to
Governor Bagudu.
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