The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has expressed the association’s dissatisfaction with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for allegedly abandoning them despite supporting its re-election bid in 2019.
It also said expressed worry that livestock business was not catered for in the N500billion agronomy budget of the federal government in the last seven years.
MACBAN National President Baba-Othman Ngelzarma said this Saturday night at a media parley in Abuja.
And acknowledging the cattle rearers’ position, Senate President Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan assured government would do something to ensure the livestock business is given the right attention.
“I am not a Fulani in any way. I don’t have any Fulani blood but I think our livestock rearers have not received a fair deal all through our history,” Lawan had said.
NLTP
In a bold effort to arrest the farmer/herder clash that had become a recurring decimal, the federal government announced the formation of a N100billion National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).
The plan, according to the federal government, is not targeted at only cattle but the entire animal husbandry sector in the country.
Of the N100 billion plan, the federal government is contributing 80 per cent in grant, while states would contribute land, project implementation structure, personnel and 20 per cent cost of the project.
It, however, said the plan remains voluntary for state governments willing to be part of it.
MACBAN expresses disgust
But addressing journalists in Abuja on neglect of the livestock sector, Ngezarama said: “On the eve of the last election that brought in Buhari for the second term, we endorsed him. We showed the world that we are with him but thereafter, up till now as I speak to you, nothing has been done.
“Buhari has abandoned the pastoralists. This is very clear, whether Buhari or his lieutenants, the pastoralists have been abandoned by the government. In the last eight years, nothing tangible was done for pastoralists. While over N500 billion was spent on agronomy, nothing was spent on livestock, almost nothing.
“Go and check all the state government’s budgetary provisions including the federal government’s budgetary provisions. If you see what is budgeted for livestock, you will be surprised. Livestock is being neglected completely.
“How can a multi-trillion Naira business be left in the hands of illiterates without any form of organization? The government is getting nothing instead of benefiting a lot. This is next to oil. Livestock is next to oil. It can sustain the economy of this country with very good harnessing and organization. There’s nothing wasteful on the cow. Imagine the value chain – everything on the cow is money.”
The former MACBAN scribe said contrary to belief in some quarters that MACBAN members were criminals who enjoyed special support and protection from the government, they were at the receiving end of extortion, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflict, cattle rustling and banditry.
The MACBAN leader also said there was a general loss of sense of belonging among the pastoralists in recent times, with many of them seeking to leave the country for more peaceful and saner climes.
He said: “Pastoralists deserve protection and protection as well against cattle rustlers, kidnappers, bandits and so on. So, we are also under threat, Our trade is also under threat, but for somebody because of crime perpetrated by a few among us, to put us in one basket and say all Fulani are criminals is not fair. Cattle rearing is a business. We are a trade group doing our legitimate business. MACBAN is not a criminal group.
“We are open to attack by all sorts of thieves. We are at the receiving end of these crises including farmers-herders clashes and cattle rustling because pastoralists are the sole owners of the cattle. 98 percent of the cattle in this country are owned by the Fulani and they are victims of kidnapping too. There has never been a time when the pastoralists were supported or assisted after losing their means of livelihood. We also need protection from the government.”
While lauding the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) initiative, the body said it would do little or nothing to address the problems of pastoralists.
It said: “Only recently the Buhari administration started implementing the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) where some states have accessed the N3 billion, N6 billion funding. Some states started it, the one in Yola has started but we see it as a project that cannot solve the problem.
“How do you think a livestock centre that can accommodate not more than 20,000 cows can solve the problem of the cows in Adamawa that are over two million? But as a model, it is okay, we appreciate it. At least the pastoralists will see how to modernise animal husbandry.”
On ranching, the MACBAN boss said: “Whatever mode of ranching that is being introduced into this country, these guys would hardly embrace it, the reason is it is alien to them as it is not capturing the reason they are rearing their cows. To them, quality does not matter much, what matters much to them is quantity. They also want to die and leave so many cows for their children to inherit.”
On what the new MACBAN leadership sought to achieve on his watch, said as the new head, one of his goals is giving orientation to pastoralists to see the need to have education and embracing ranching, as well as engage with governments at all levels to provide the necessary intervention.
Further to this, Ngelzarma said his leadership of the association would pursue the national agenda under the acronym CORE- Consultations, Orientation, Reintegration and Empowerment.
Lawan backs MACBAN
And MACBAN’s position has the backing of Senate President Lawan, who lamented the hypocrisy by those calling livestock as private business that shouldn’t be given the needed support by government.
For some five years running, Lawan , has, through his foundation, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Foundation, launched an annual programme of free vaccination for cattle, goats and sheep in his Yobe North Senatorial District.
Although not a direct response to the latest outcry by MACBAN, Lawan said over the years, the livestock sub-sector had suffered neglect and called on the authorities to accord the sector due recognition and support.
Lawan spoke early in the month (December 7) when he received in audience a delegation led by Minister of Agriculture Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar.
“This sector, the livestock sector, does not get the attention of the government. And I find it strange that here, you have a sector that has the potential of boosting our economy significantly and yet it is neglected.
“I am not a Fulani in any way. I don’t have any Fulani blood but I think our livestock rearers have not received a fair deal all through our history.
“As elected people, we owe every segment of those that elect us the obligation and responsibility to do what is right, to draw attention of government and where we are able to do something personally we do so for the betterment of our people.
“I think many Nigerians have been hypocritical. When it comes to livestock rearers, they will say, No, No, No. government should not support them, it is private business. That is hypocrisy.
“What can be more private than banks; individuals will establish bank, steal the money, then AMCON will take over. They will call it toxic assets and put the burden on our head.
“Government has given over N1.2 trillion to Electricity Distribution Companies that have been sold to people. Even those who are engaged in crop farming, they get something, maybe free, and when it comes to livestock, they will say it is private business. That is hypocrisy. And it is unfair to those who are engaged in livestock farming.
“This is 2022. Next year there will be elections for President, Governors, Senators, House of Representatives and state Assembly members. In the APC, I will fight until our manifesto provides for our livestock sub-sector programme.
“Yes, I will lead the fight and there will be no problem because I believe that our administration must do something. And whatever is left for this administration, I am going to get more of my colleagues to push something for the livestock sector. Fair is fair.
“We just have to be fair to people and I think we have not been fair to our livestock animal rearers and fishermen. Our livestock sub-sector needs better attention.
“And I’m not talking politics. Leaders, at all levels of government, Federal, states and Local Government, must do something to address this. And Nigerians must desist from being hypocritical,” Lawan had said.
