By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has disclosed plans to establish the Ministry of Livestock Development by January 2025 to spearhead the transformation of the livestock subsector to a viable employer of labour.

Mutfwang disclosed this on Monday, when the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, led by Professor Attahiru Jega, visited Jos for a stakeholders’ engagement forum.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a solid foundation for livestock development and commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating practical measures to revive the livestock sector, saying the initiative has the potential to address lingering security challenges arising from farmer-herder conflicts while generating substantial revenue for the country’s economy.

His words, “I must congratulate Mr. President for taking the bull by the horns. If there is anyone more challenged to make this a reality, it is us in Northern Nigeria. This initiative presents opportunities to de-escalate conflicts, create employment, grow our GDP, and advance technological progress.

“We will domesticate this national initiative, considering our local peculiarities, and we must move forward together. A secure environment isn’t the presence of soldiers; it’s the absence of soldiers. Our focus should be on policies and strategies that de-escalate conflicts while building a progressive, productive, and profitable livestock ecosystem.”

Earlier, Professor Attahiru Jega, who is the Co-Chairman of the Committee, commended Governor Mutfwang for his enthusiasm and commitment to realizing the immense potential of the livestock sector and assured the Governor of the committee’s full support in transforming Plateau State into a model for livestock development.

“We have assessed the Plateau and believe it can lead in livestock development in this country. The President established this Committee in July 2024 to harness opportunities within the livestock sector. When fully developed, this sector will provide employment, boost productivity, and enhance economic growth nationwide,” Jega stated.

He further explained that the committee is engaging stakeholders nationwide to promote the initiative and explore the vast opportunities it presents for economic and social development.