We’re Determined To Implement National Livestock Transformation Plan – Osinbajo

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor  Yemi Osinbajo, has made it clear that federal and state governments are determined to implement the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) to address the perennial crisis between farmers and herders in the country.

He said that the implementation of the plan is consensus of governors under the auspices of the National Economic Council (NEC).
Professor Osinbajo, spoke today, March 6, at the opening session of an International Conference on Patriotism, Security, Governance and National Development. The event was organized by the Global Patriot Newspaper in collaboration with the Nigerian Consulate in New York and Nigeria in Diaspora Organisation, (NIDO) New Jersey Chapter.
He explained that the NLTP is a comprehensive strategy for addressing farmer/herder conflict essentially by encouraging interested states to establish cattle ranches.
“The crucial point here is that no community or State is compelled in any shape or form to give land for ranching. Ranching is essentially a business. NLTP is not a land grab in any way. Every state is completely responsible for its land. The Federal Government cannot go to any state and take any land.
“Already 22 States have indicated interest and pilots, with the support of the Netherlands government, are ongoing in 4 states of Adamawa, Nasarawa, Plateau and Gombe.  If we are able to execute the NLPT, we will be able to see an end to the farmer-herder conflict because the goal is to make livestock breeders more sedentary and derive more financial benefits.”

The Vice President insisted that the task of building Nigeria requires the contribution of all Nigerians as the challenge for everyone is “to build, not to destroy, to add to, not to take away.

“the task of nation-building is exerting and may even appear messy as the process continues, especially in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation like Nigeria. It challenges all values, patience and tolerance of citizens. It  may even be costly. It is a challenge thrown to everyone, to build, not to destroy, to add to, not to take away.”
He also restated his advocacy for the decentralization of the Police Force, saying: “we must accept that there is a need for greater decentralization of the police force. I have been a frequent advocate of state policing and I believe this certainly must be the way we must go.

“The National Assembly is in a position to consider some of the proposals that have gone to them for the purposes of devolving more powers to the states for security purposes and for addressing the security challenges.”