The federal government is in the process of reintroducing the registration of livestock in Nigeria. This is to keep track of every cattle, goat or sheep in the country as was the case in the years past.
The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono who disclosed this yesterday at the inauguration of the governing board of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) in his office in Abuja, also informed that the government was in the process of reviewing policies that pertain to the movement of cattle especially between Nigeria and her neighbouring countries.
The minister said the livestock subsector is an important and integral part of Nigerian economy. According to him, “We have embarked on a radical transformation of our agricultural sector. Our dream is big to turn Nigeria into a global powerhouse in food production and food security across the various value chains in accordance with the mandate/vision of the Green Alternative policy and the Livestock Transformation Agenda of the present administration.
“Over the last five years, we have noticed increasing prevalence of animal diseases that has affected our livestock stock. I hope we are able to overcome this.
“We are in the process of presenting our case to the federal executive council for funding to control pest and animal diseases across the country.”
He said though significant achievements have been recorded, a great deal still needs to be done. He charged the board members to step forward and take up the challenges before the nation’s livestock subsector.
He also charged them to pursue the mandate of the council which he said include regulating the standard of training and practice of veterinary medicine in Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of the enabling Act.
“I charge you to be accountable, transparent, fair and equitable, always showing that you are stewards of the people’s trust committed to the responsibility of transforming the agricultural sector,” Nanono said.
Responding, the president and chairman of the council, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr Aishatu Abubakar, who is also a commissioner of Police, while thanking the minister for his support so far, promised that the council will work hand in hand with the ministry to ensure that the government’s vision of achieving food security was actualised.