By Sikiru Obarayese
Copyright tribuneonlineng
The Federal Government is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to expedite the relocation of cattle that are roaming in the Abuja city center to designated grazing reserves.
Dr. Idi Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development, made this announcement on Tuesday during the 2025 Media Retreat in Kaduna, which focused on the theme “Driving Livestock Growth through Strategic Communication.”
Maiha also stated that the ministry will soon launch a national peace campaign aimed at resolving farmer-herder conflicts across the country.
“In a few weeks, the ministry will embark on a national peace campaign to achieve sustainable peace between farmers and herders, organised groups, and communities across the country.
“On Friday, we had a robust engagement with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as part of our moves to relocate animals roaming the city centre in Abuja to grazing reserves.
“We need peace. We must give ourselves peace,” he said.
The minister stressed the need for strong commitment from state governments to ensure comprehensive and lasting peace, noting that peace in rural communities was crucial for food security, job creation, and national stability.
“We cannot keep on losing members of our armed forces to bad elements. We are working with all the security agencies to silence the guns.
“Our focus is to have a country with truckloads of milk and not armoured personnel carriers. Milking machines should replace machine guns,” he said.
Maiha said the livestock sector remained a key driver of wealth creation, job opportunities, food security, and rural stability.
According to him, the ministry’s priority over the next five years is to provide the sector with the right policies, programmes, projects, and activities.
Speaking on the retreat, Maiha said communication was central to advancing the livestock sector.
“Following this retreat, we expect you to leverage your skills to further amplify the narrative of the livestock sector.
“We appreciate the influence of your profession and hope you will continue to use your pen strategically and positively in reporting on the sector.
“Your reporting has been instrumental in shaping public understanding of our policies and influencing the responses of farmers, herders, investors, and other stakeholders,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, said the retreat underscored the media’s role in shaping public understanding of government initiatives.
Akujobi, represented by Dr Victor Egbon, Director of Ruminants and Monogastric Development said effective communication was about fostering trust, shaping perceptions, and inspiring meaningful action.
“Media play a critical role in interpreting policies, reporting on developments, and conveying the realities of events, activities, interventions, and programmes to Nigerians and the global community.
“Through this strategic partnership, we will address the challenges inherent in the sector and explore the abundant opportunities available.
“This retreat aims to enhance your proficiency in covering the livestock sector, elevate your work, and strengthen our partnership,” Akujobi said.
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