The new executive officers of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Oyo State chapter, have been urged to collaborate with the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde-led administration to build peace and ensure food security in the state.
The government also urged the cattle breeders to preach peace and harmonious coexistence among their members, noting that the government needs the cooperation of all stakeholders on direct participation in farming and business.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye gave this advice recently, at the inauguration of the new executives of the Miyetti Allah, noting that the government’s doors remained open to the executive.
Olaleye, who was represented by the Chief Veterinary Medical Officer, Control Post and Cattle Markets and Deputy Director, Veterinary Services, Dr Adeniran Liadi Mobolaji, lauded Governor Makinde for taking proactive steps to address herders-farmers’ clash in the state.
He added that the administration had also launched several initiatives to boost livestock production in the state, including free vaccination of large animals across the 33 local government areas of the state, free anthrax vaccination, administration of 250,000 doses of PPR vaccines for sheep and goats, among others.
He said: “It is a great pleasure for me to be here today at the inauguration ceremony of the State Executive members by the National Headquarters of Miyetti Allah.
“I especially appreciate the ingenuity of our dear Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE for bringing peace and harmony to the state, which is why all of us are gathered here peacefully.
“His Excellency has taken proactive measures to stop farmers-herders crisis in the state by providing enough security for both livestock and arable farmers.
“You will all recall that immediately the Federal Government removed fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, our magnanimous governor launched an intervention strategy in August 2023 to ensure that citizens are relieved of the pains.
“A programme tagged Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) was introduced and the initiative introduced in order to boost livestock production in the state includes vaccination of large animals across the 33 Local Government Council Areas to improve the cattle value chain in Oyo State and anthrax vaccination for all cattle in the state.
“Others are the vaccination with CBPP vaccines with 120,000 doses, 250,000 doses of PPR vaccines for sheep and goats, a programme, which is still ongoing in the state and the distribution of BDG, Salt lick, and wheat offals to livestock farmers.”
Olaleye congratulated the new executive members, reminding them of the digital identity cards for cattle breeders and dealers put in place by the government and the need for their members to comply so that it would be easy to identify genuine cattle breeders in the state.
“The good message is that you should maintain the peace wherever you are and preach peace in all your gatherings to promote the good image of the Oyo State Government.
“I call unto you to join hands together with the present administration in the state to enhance access to food through peaceful co-existence, direct participation in farming and business, because the government alone cannot do it all,” the commissioner added.
Speaking earlier, the National President of MACBAN, Baba Usman Ngelzarma, lauded Governor Makinde’s tremendous and consistent support to herdsmen in Oyo State.
He urged the state government to replicate the Federal Ministry of Livestock at the state level, while he also appreciated host communities for their understanding so far.
Ngelzarma threw his weight behind the ongoing identification and profiling system of herdsmen in the state, saying that it would help to differentiate good herdsmen from the bad eggs.
Similarly, the Seriki Fulani of Lagos, Muhammed Bambado II, who also attended the event, commended Governor Makinde’s fatherly roles, which he noted had made life more abundant for the herding communities in Oyo State.
He advised herders to be of good conduct while carrying out their herding activities.
