The Presidency has engaged the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in talks aimed at ending the movement of cattle across the streets of Abuja’s city centre.
The dialogue, held on Friday, was convened at the instance of the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman, Board of Trustees of MACBAN, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, alongside the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Maiha.
Speaking during the meeting, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to addressing the challenges facing pastoralists while ensuring an end to open grazing in the capital.
“This stakeholders’ engagement is to dialogue with livestock stakeholders and make them understand the efforts of President Tinubu’s administration.
“We are working with the Ministry of Livestock Development and other agencies to address the root causes, such as reviving grazing reserves, developing ranches, and providing safe zones for pastoralists with access to feeds, water, veterinary services, healthcare, and other amenities,” he said.
Dr. Balarabe Kakale, Special Assistant to the Minister of Education on Almajiri and Out-of-School-Children Education, noted that the meeting also touched on education and social development.
He disclosed that MACBAN leaders agreed to partner with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development on sustainable grazing solutions, including relocating to designated reserves in Abuja equipped with nomadic schools, veterinary and medical clinics, mini dams, water supply, and electricity.
MACBAN’s National President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, confirmed that the central issue was finding a solution to the menace of cows roaming the city centre.
He also highlighted the need to tackle the high number of out-of-school children among pastoralist families, who make up a significant portion of Nigeria’s estimated 20 million out-of-school children.
“We want Abuja to be a model. We invited stakeholders, MACBAN leaders from the six Area Councils of the FCT, and families whose cattle roam the streets, to understand the process and find a way forward.
A committee will be set up to develop a lasting solution,” Othman-Ngelzarma said.
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