FG has invested huge funds for Pastoral sector development - Gov Bagudu

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.