By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi In his quest to bring lasting peace, development, and sustainable industrial prosperity to Bauchi State, Governor...
By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi
In his quest to bring lasting peace, development, and sustainable industrial prosperity to Bauchi State, Governor Bala Mohammed swiftly took action by aligning with the Federal Government's initiative of creating a dedicated Ministry for Livestock Development.
Bauchi State has embraced this initiative by establishing its own Ministry for Livestock Development, appointing a man of integrity and renowned technocrat, Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi, as the Honorable Commissioner. Since assuming office, Dr. Lukshi has made significant strides in fulfilling his mandate. His efforts include visits to various stakeholders, assessments of cattle routes, and fostering collaboration between Fulani herders and farmers to promote peaceful coexistence and sustainable development. His advocacy for peace and commitment extends beyond livestock development, benefiting the broader community.
Dr. Lukshi has also highlighted the importance of livestock development in creating employment opportunities, ensuring sustainable economic growth, and fostering prosperity across Bauchi State, Nigeria, and the African continent at large.
The creation of this ministry is expected to address long-standing conflicts between farmers and herders across Nigeria. Key initiatives include the introduction of GPS mapping for land management, the documentation of cattle routes, advanced research on modern animal husbandry, and the establishment of new laboratories for studying and preventing emerging and re-emerging animal diseases.
Furthermore, the ministry aims to enhance meat production standards in Bauchi State by improving hygiene and regulatory measures at abattoirs. This includes ensuring that animals undergo proper dressing before slaughter, assessing environmental hygiene, and verifying that meat meets globally accepted standards for human consumption.
The establishment of the Ministry for Livestock Development is also expected to address youth unemployment by creating job opportunities within the livestock industry. This initiative will contribute to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), driving economic growth and sustainability.
Governor Bala Mohammed has launched several initiatives to combat poverty, hunger, and frustration among citizens. The creation of this ministry is a strategic step toward addressing the persistent issue of unemployment in Bauchi State.
Historically, cattle routes in Nigeria were established in the 1950s during the British colonial administration to mitigate conflicts between farmers and herders. With Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi at the helm, his extensive experience—as a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, a professional veterinary doctor, a former Head of the Bauchi State Civil Service, a former Permanent Commissioner with the State Independent Electoral Commission, and now a Commissioner—positions him well to address unemployment and create an enabling environment for livestock industry growth.
During a recent engagement with stakeholders as part of his ministerial duties, Dr. Lukshi announced that Bauchi State has been selected as one of 20 states in Nigeria to benefit from the World Bank-funded Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRESS) Project, receiving an allocation of $1 million.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Lukshi explained that the L-PRESS initiative is designed to enhance livestock productivity and resilience, aiming to improve the sector’s contribution to the economy. He noted that Bauchi was chosen based on its performance and contributions, emphasizing the state’s strategic role in the initiative.
Dr. Lukshi stressed that livestock development is a key priority for Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration, with a focus on improving pastures, water resources, and overall livestock management. He added that the project will not only boost internally generated revenue but also significantly contribute to the state's GDP.
He further noted that the livestock industry has immense potential to drive economic growth across Nigeria and Africa, despite its relatively long gestation period compared to other sectors. More Nigerians are now exploring opportunities within the livestock industry, recognizing its vast economic benefits.
Speaking at the event, the World Bank's National Coordinator for the project, Mr. Sunusi Abubakar, expressed appreciation to Governor Bala Mohammed for his warm reception and commended him for creating an enabling environment for the project. Mr. Abubakar reiterated that Bauchi State is a strategic partner in the initiative, which is why it was chosen as a beneficiary. He further emphasized that the World Bank project aims to stimulate economic growth in every society it supports.
He concluded by revealing that the World Bank has earmarked $500 million for the L-PRESS project across all beneficiary states, underscoring its commitment to livestock development and economic resilience in Nigeria.
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