… Delays state police talks amid rising insecurity
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The National Economic Council (NEC), yesterday, approved the establishment of Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board and endorsed an agribusiness expansion and livestock transformation agenda projected to generate up to $90 billion in economic value by 2035.
Other initiatives approved by council included the establishment of the Green Imperative Project (GIP) national office in Abuja and regional offices across the six geopolitical zones, as well as addressing the crises fuelled by the current system of animal husbandry in the country.
NEC also observed a minute of silence for victims of the recent killings in Benue and Plateau states, while expressing its condolences for the people and governments of the affected states.
However, despite growing security concerns across the country, the council deferred deliberations on the creation of state police, postponing a critical discussion many stakeholders see as key to addressing Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
Addressing issues of empowerment and food security, Vice President Shettima implored members of the Council to be courageous in taking decisions, saying they must “resist the temptation of grand rhetoric and embrace the hard work of reform.
“The nation is watching. Our citizens are not waiting for another speech. They are waiting for results. This Council must remain a meeting point of ideas that move the nation forward. Let us rise above partisan interests and regional divisions and focus on what truly matters, building a nation that delivers for all,” he stated.
Shettima reminded members that they were not at the council meeting as a mere routine but by “the resolve to confront the pressing realities that define the lives” of the Nigerian people”, even as he urged them not to just respond to crises, but work as architects of a sustainable future for the nation.
He stated: “Governance, in truth, is not the theatre of promises. It is the solemn business of fulfilment. Today, as always, we are not here to admire the beauty of policy design but to ensure the substance of its execution.
“The task before us is monumental, but it is not unfamiliar. At our last meeting, we launched bold initiatives and reawakened our sense of duty to the nation. Today, we return with even greater clarity about what lies ahead. We must always bear in mind that we are not merely responders to crises. We are architects of a sustainable future.”
Governors from various states, including newly appointed Rivers State Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who defected to the ruling party on Wednesday, attended the meeting alongside federal officials such as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike and Central Bank Governor, Yemi Cardoso.
The NEC’s next meeting is expected to prioritise the State Police debate, a critical step amid Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis.
Responding to concerns about unpaid allowances to trainees and trainers of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) pilot in Nasarawa State since November 2023, Governor Abdullahi Sule explained the context and prospects following the recent briefing by the Minister of Livestock Development to the National Economic Council.
He noted that the NLTP was a collaborative initiative between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Dutch government, launched successfully in Nasarawa as the pilot state. “The programme was owned by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the government of Netherlands. During the launch, many diplomats attended, and the training was successfully carried out,” he said.
However, he acknowledged challenges that affected the programme’s expansion and funding continuity: “Unfortunately, the NLTP had some challenges taken up, and that’s why no other state after Nasarawa was commissioned, because of funding issues between the Netherlands and the Ministry of Agriculture, which persisted until after the 2023 elections.”
Governor Sule added that the current Minister of Livestock Development presented a new programme to the Council, aimed at building on the NLTP’s foundation. “The ministers were informed about this. Professor Jega, who is also Chancellor of our Nasarawa State University, had several meetings with us, and we briefed him about that particular programme.”
He also addressed concerns about land use related to the NLTP ranch, clarifying that allowing communities to farm on idle ranch land was a practical measure to prevent land degradation, not encroachment. “Those trained have not been wasted; many have joined other programmes like Ruga and are training other herders,” he said.
Governor Sule expressed optimism that the minister’s briefing would help revitalize livestock development efforts and resolve outstanding issues, including payment delays, by aligning new strategies with past lessons and ongoing government support.
Diri supported the ministry’s presentation, emphasising that the new focus on cattle ranching and peacebuilding represents a modern approach to resolving farmer-herder conflicts. “The ministry’s presentation on cattle ranching is a modern solution to the issues of farmers-herders clashes,” he remarked.
The Accountant General of the Federation, Shamsedeen Ogunjimi, gave an update to Council, revealing that the excess crude account balance was $473,754.57, while stabilisation account balance as at April 2025 – N63,535,835,786.6.
Where will you be when the trumpet shall sound? FOOD FOR THOUGHT!!! WomaninHisVineyard