By Gidado Ibrahim
The Hall of Fame football coach, Vince Lombardi, famously said, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work.” In this quote, the belief that true leadership comes through experience, determination, and passion surfaces. Others will contend, however, that many leaders are born with leadership characteristics. Whichever is true. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a living example and epitomises both. He was born with deep leadership character traits.
With his non-kinetic approach to solving problems, President Tinubu stands himself out. With last week’s creation of Ministry of Livestock Development, the President has cemented his name as a Nigerian president on a mission. This ministry he created will not only solve the lingering farmers-herders crisis but will also empower Nigeria to play a key role in global livestock, meat and diary production.
It has the potential to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural sector and economy. The ministry’s primary objective is to promote livestock development, improve animal husbandry practices, and enhance the overall productivity of the sector. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s food production, economy, and overall well-being of its citizens.
Victor Hugo once said, “Nothing else in the world…not all the armies…is so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” That’s why the recent 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities as part of efforts to tame soaring food prices must be commended. Also worthy of commendation is the newly inaugurated Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU) to address the food security crisis and rising food costs in the country.
Chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the unit includes state governors, local government representatives, development partners, and other key stakeholders, tasked with coordinating all agricultural activities in Nigeria.
In retrospect, Nigeria spends a whopping $3-$5 billion per year on food importation, out of which milk accounts for 1.3 billion USD (NLTP, 2019). In addition to myriad of benefits, Tinubu’s target is to bridge such gaps in our livestock, meat and diary needs. This will stop capital flight and empower our farmers.
It would be recalled that for years, the herder-farmer conflict has resulted in loss of lives, displacement, and destruction of properties, leading to a significant decline in food production and increase in hunger and poverty. However, with the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development, the government has demonstrated its commitment to addressing this pressing issue.
The ministry’s focus on livestock development will position Nigeria as a major player in the West African region, enabling the country to export livestock, meat, and dairy products to neighboring countries. This will generate significant foreign exchange earnings for the country, boost economic growth, and create jobs for millions of Nigerians.
President Tinubu’s approach to solving the farmers-herders crisis is seen as a testament to his leadership skills, which are characterized by a deep understanding of the issues and a willingness to take bold action. The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development has been commended by various groups, including the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
The global livestock industry is a significant contributor to the agricultural sector, with several countries exceling in this area. The top five countries in livestock production are China, Brazil, the United States, India, and Australia. In terms of dairy milk products, the leading countries are India, New Zealand, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
Example of 5 top counties
China – accounting for over 20% of global production, with a 2020 export value of approximately $12.6 billion.
Brazil – focusing on beef and poultry, with a 2020 export value of around $6.5 billion.
United States – producing beef, pork, and poultry, with a 2020 export value of around $6.2 billion.
India – the world’s largest producer of milk, with a 2020 export value of around $4.3 billion.
Australia – a major exporter of livestock and dairy products, with a focus on beef and sheep meat, and a 2020 export value of around $3.8 billion.
In terms of dairy milk products, the leading countries are:
India – accounting for over 20% of global production, with a 2020 export value of around $1.8 billion.
New Zealand – focusing on whole milk powder and cheese, with a 2020 export value of around $1.5 billion.
Germany – producing cheese and butter, with a 2020 export value of around $1.3 billion.
The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development has the potential to significantly impact Nigeria’s agricultural sector and economy. If properly implemented, it could position Nigeria as a major player in global livestock production and dairy milk products, generating substantial export earnings and contributing to the country’s sustainable development.
To achieve this, it is essential to overcome the usual bureaucratic bottlenecks and endemic corruption in the public service, as emphasized by the NEF and MACBAN.
The success of this initiative will depend on the government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources and support to the pastoral communities, ensuring that the ministry’s objectives are met, and the farmers-herders crisis is effectively addressed. In other words, the new ministry must not become another conduit pipe or be used for political patronage.
The creation of Livestock Ministry is like this powerful idea whose time has come, especially now that the mainstream M~inistry of Agriculture has gone into comatose. Nothing has been heard from the ministry, since Tinubu assumed office. All the actions so far in terms of food security either emanates from the president or the vice president’s office.
At a time when Nigerians are groaning under hardship occasioned by economic meltdown and the ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to revamp the economy, one would have expected to see rollout of programmes and interventions from the Agriculture ministry. However, it seems as if the ministry is not existing.
President Tinubu must do something to save the Agric ministry before the nation is plunged into more severe famine. Even under past administrations we saw how the ministry assisted farmers with fertilizer and farm equipment. Under the renewed hope government, the ministry has relegated to the background at a time the administration is combating food insecurity. Something needs to be done before it gets out of hand. Well, that is an issue for another day.
Overall, President Tinubu’s leadership in creating the Ministry of Livestock Development demonstrates his willingness to take bold action to address the country’s challenges. With proper implementation and support, this initiative has the potential to drive economic growth, promote peace and stability, and position Nigeria as a leader in the global livestock industry.
The Ministry of Livestock Development is a bold step towards addressing the herder-farmer conflict, improving food production, and driving economic growth. As the country moves forward, it is essential to ensure that the ministry is adequately funded and supported to achieve its objectives and make a meaningful impact on the lives of Nigerians.
The constitutional implication of the new Livestock ministry created by the president is that it will protect lives and properties in both urban areas and rural communities. It will also provide more security details that will check the activities of arms dealers across the country.
Most Nigerians I have had cause to converse with all agreed that President Tinubu has good intentions towards Nigerians and is making a decisions that would improve the leaving standard of the common man. But the are of the opinion that he should be advised to monitor the implementation and execution of government policies by his political appointees.
For instance, the federal government recently released tonnes of grains to Nigerians, provided dry season farming equipment, and soft agricultural loans to boost food production but you hardly see most of these political office holders visiting their own local government areas to promote the Renewed Hope Agenda. Not even the Minister of Agriculture has embarked on inspection visit to these local communities to monitor how farmers are faring in their farms.
Its only about two or three of the ministers who take their time to directly engage Nigerians to create awareness about government policies and programmes, like the minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Minister of Housing Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
Now that the president has given 20 trucks of rice to each state, a private intelligence taskforce should be assigned to monitor the implementation and distribution. The team must report directly to the President and his National Security Adviser, and give update. If not, the process will be hijacked by the enemies of the Renewed Hope administration.
I have said it and will continue maintaining that the Nigerian masses are with President Tinubu. I can defend it anytime, anyday. Nobody should be fooled; Nigerians know who their enemies are. Only time shall tell. (AWA LOKAN) God bless Nigeria!