The Borno Government has announced the creation of Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development to align its

Development strategy with Federal Government initiatives, and boost the state’s economic potential.

Gov. Babagana Zulum made the announcement on Tuesday during the swearing in of two commissioners at the council chambers of the Government House.

Zulum underscored the importance of livestock and fisheries as vital sectors with untapped revenue potential.

He emphasised that the new ministry would focus on high-yield livestock breeds, milk production and fisheries, targeting both domestic consumption and export opportunities.

The governor said that “no state government can make substantial money in livestock alone, but we believe with the right investment and political will, the sector can generate significant revenue.”

He said that the growing demand for milk by yogurt companies and the proximity of Maiduguri to Asian and Arab markets, are great opportunities for dairy exportation.

The governor, therefore, assigned the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Kadafur, to oversee the activities of the new ministry, citing his practical experience and passion for livestock development.

He said “livestock development is not just about academic qualifications, it is about practice and the deputy governor has demonstrated capability in that regard.”

According to him, the ministry will prioritise procuring high-yielding livestock varieties, enhancing milk production and creating sustainable rural projects to support

Local communities.

He said that projects in Mafa, Gajiram and in Southern Borno will soon be launched under the new ministry’s purview.

The governor urged civil servants and ministry personnel to take ownership of the new initiative, adding that the ministry’s success would contribute to the states

Long-term economic stability and self-reliance.

Alia appoints head of agric company, others

Gov. Hyacinth Alia has approved the appointment of Mr. Donald Aorkwagh Akule as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Benue State Agricultural Development Company (ADC).

The governor also approved the appointment of Dr Aondoakaa Asambe as Principal Special Assistant (PSA) on Livestock Development and Animal Transboundary Disease Control.

The appointments were announced in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Friday.

According to the statement, the governor also appointed Mr Abraham Agogo as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Community Mobilisation.

The statement added that the appointments take immediate effect.

It said that Akule brings over 15 years of experience in agricultural systems, community development, research and development, and food processing.

He holds a B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, and is a Certified Fellow in Agricultural Systems Development under USAID and Lagos Business School.

Meanwhile, Asambe, a member of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association and a registered veterinary surgeon with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, has been a lecturer at Federal University, Dutsima, for the past 12 years.

He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi).

He also holds a postgraduate degree in Food Animal Medicine at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP-AF) has distributed tricycles worth millions of naira to rural farmers in Kogi to enhance their livelihoods and ensure food sufficiency in the state.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, at the flag-off on Wednesday in Lokoja, said the gesture was part of government’s efforts toward empowering its citizens, especially rural farmers.

Ojomah expressed confidence in the Gov. Ahmed Ododo-led administration to continue to assist the rural farmers through the VCDP activities for maximum agricultural production in the state.

Ojomah, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abdulsalam Segir, said that government would not rest on its oars to provide farmers with inputs to boost their production.

According to him, the farmers will consistently be provided with farm equipment, fertilisers, chemicals and other machines that will assist them in their farming activities.

The commissioner, who reaffirmed government’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of the people of the state, advised the beneficiaries to be meticulous in handling the tricycles to serve them better.

He commended the achievements of Kogi VCDP, under the leadership of Dr Stella Adejoh, assuring that government would continue to give necessary support to the programme.

Earlier, Adejoh, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of IFAD-VCDP, said that the initiative was to boost the general wellbeing of farmers as well as ensuring beneficiaries’ full commitment along the production, processing and marketing value chain.

Adejoh expressed optimism that Kogi government would continue to take proactive measures to support and create enabling environment for the programme to thrive in the state.

The state programme coordinator urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the tricycles to improve their well-being, stating that the gesture was targeted toward their good and that of their families.

“No one should think of selling his/her tricycle because the programme has put in place monitoring mechanism to forestall such,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman, Gaskiya Cluster, Mr Bala Musa, appreciated IFAD/ VCDP, Kogi government as well as Federal Government for always supporting farmers in the state.

Musa promised that the beneficiaries would use the tricycles for intended purposes, adding that they would not take the opportunity for granted.

“We assure you that all our efforts will be channelled into the proper maintenance of the machines for our own benefits,” he said.