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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government has explained that the new Ministry of Livestock Development, announced by President Bola Tinubu is to enhance protein production, increase employment opportunities, and generate more revenue for the country.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, gave this explanation while fielding question from State House Correspondents during post Federal Executive Council meeting, Presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the new ministry’s primary focus is to concentrate on livestock development, allowing the Ministry of Agriculture to focus on other areas.
Fagbemi explained that the decision to create the new ministry was driven by the potential benefits it offers, including improved protein intake for Nigerians, increased revenue for the government, and more employment opportunities.
While acknowledging that creating a new ministry may seem contrary to the government’s goal of reducing governance costs, Fagbemi emphasided that the benefits would outweigh the costs. The new ministry is expected to facilitate large-scale livestock production, generating revenue and employment opportunities for Nigerians.
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According to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, “President formerly informed Council that a ministry known as Ministry of Livestock Development is being established and this is because he believes that the Ministry of Agriculture should be broken into two, one concentrating on livestock development because of what we stand to achieve in terms of protein, in terms of employment, in terms earnings for the government and how this one will rub off on the lives of an ordinary Nigerian citizen”, he said.
Fagbami highlighted the importance of improving protein intake, a key aspect of the government’s policy on livestock development.
He said: “So in respect of the Ministry of Livestock Development, in relation to the government policy of reducing governance, to every general rule, there must be an exception, what will dictate the decision of government, what is guiding the addition of government or action or reaction of government is the overall interest of Nigerian citizen.
“So in respect of this livestock, the President has taken very serious look at the contribution of agriculture. Agriculture, now divided into two, having announced that there is going to be another ministry, it goes without saying that those implications will also go with it.
“I agree that that may cost money, but it will be done in a way that the benefits will by far outweigh the losses or the concern that you may express.
“I have talked about this livestock and I said one, apart from improving the protein intake of our people, it also provides money for government because he’s going to be on large scale that will ensure money or revenue for government, and there is also going to be increased employment opportunities for people. So these are some of the areas that I think I should clear”, he said.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has already commended President Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development, stating that it would unlock the potential of the trillion-naira livestock industry and reduce farmer-herder conflicts.
