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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Federal Government said it is ready to assist and collaborate with the Edo State Livestock Ministry to transform its entire livestock value chain into a regional meat, poultry, piggery, goats and cattle hub.
Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Maiha, equally pledged to assist the state in rehabilitating its cattle ranches in Igarra, Edo North and in Ubiaja, Edo Central with a promise to visit the state in the first quarter of 2026.
Already, a joint committee between the Federal Ministry and the Edo State delegation which includes Mr. Golden Ugbodu, SA to the Governor on Livestock, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Lucky Adebudo, Thomas Haruna and Eno Otamere, was set up to fast track the process and development. The committee will be headed by Prof. Eustace Iyayi, SA to the Minister on Feed and Fodder Development.
The Minister disclosed this during a meeting with a delegation of the Edo State Government led by the Commissioner of Livestock Development, Prof. Omorodion Ikpomwosa in his office over the weekend.
Maiha who commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for creating the ministry, noted that Edo stands at the convergence to unleash its livestock potential in Nigeria’s N74 billion sectoral drive before 2035.
He said: “This is an opportunity for the Governor and the state’s ministry to diversify its economy focusing on livestock, modernisation of its infrastructure, create job opportunities and empowerment of its youth, as well as also build peace across the Edo and neighbouring states.
“If you look at Edo’s geography and location, aside from its own internal market, Edo can also reach out to a number of other surrounding markets.
“The state is a potential hub and I think that is the strategic thinking of Governor Okpebholo.”
He expressed excitement that Edo is among the 18 states that has dedicated a Ministry to grow the livestock sector where you now have a full-fledged Ministry with a commissioner that can take independent decision to assist the governor directly in fulfilling his vision and mission in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister added: “It will fast track development in the state, make things easier, faster, and also properly focused, explaining – that is what Mr. President has done by creating this Ministry at the federal level.
“What we want you to do is to take an inventory of all the livestock facilities in the states. For us at the federal level, we know where our facilities exist, wherever they are, we know where they are.
“It wouldn’t be anything out of the way if the ministry can take an inventory of all those infrastructures and facilities, whether they are state-owned or federal-owned, and do an evaluation. And then let us share this information.
“For instance, if you have cattle markets or abattoirs or colleges or breeding centers, whether for pigs, for goats and sheep, or for cows that are located in that state, they belong to the federal government, let us have the inventory.
“We have our inventory, but we want to work with you so that we understand the functionality of those facilities, what are the challenges.
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“Like you have mentioned, the cattle ranches in the state were built in the 50s and the 60s, is this still available?
“We want to know if there are any challenges to expansion, the level of functionality, what equipment is still functioning, what stuff is still there.
“From there, we can begin to build on what is available. Where they are not adequate, if they can be scaled up, we can scale them.
“If they are not adequate because of the population, we can begin to think of building some in other locations. And the other aspect here is also livestock markets.”
The Minister said livestock markets are not just ramshackle makeshift thatches and roofs, adding that the Federal Government wants standard buildings with a lot of sanitary facilities, running water, refrigerators, exit and entrance points and good sanitary conditions.
“All these things are key when it comes to the functional livestock market, whether they are for livestock, live birds, whether they are for small ruminants, whether for large animals, we want to know the inventory of those because that is the baseline that we need to establish to move forward.
“The other aspect of it is also, now those facilities also include abattoirs. There is a difference between an abattoir and a slaughter slab.”
Earlier in his remarks, leader of the delegation, the Edo Commissioner, Prof. Ikpomwosa Omorodion, stated that the state’s livestock ministry was created deliberately by the governor to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding: “We are here to discuss matters of mutual interest and to express the commitment of the Governor to aligning with federal government’s initiative to boosting the livestock sector.”
Omorodion further said: “We are eager as a state to exploit the opportunities for collaboration and support that will enhance the livelihood of our livestock farms and contribute to the nation’s food security.
“Edo State’s livestock potential is enormous. We have vast grazing reserves, diverse livestock resources, and a very striving livestock industry.
“Our state has the potential of becoming a major hub in the South-south Nigeria, in livestock production, processing, and every other subset in the livestock value chain.
“Therefore, we seek for strategic partnership to support and unlock these potentials.”
He acknowledged that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, created the ministry with a purpose to transform the livestock ecosystem.
