The National Economic Council has endorsed a livestock development strategy for the country as proposed by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha.
Gov. Duoye Diri of Bayelsa, made the disclosure at the end of the 149th NEC meeting chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, at the Council Chambers of the presidential villa, Abuja.
He said that the Minister of Livestock Development briefed the council and assured it that the strategy would help transform the livestock sector.
“Today, the council received a presentation from the Minister of Livestock Development and Growth, Idi Maiha and his presentation had to do with the strategies of accelerated livestock growth.
“He said the plan is to run from now unto 2030 and the strategy seeks to refine and transform the livestock sector into an international jobs and wealth creation as well as exports an internally generated revenue engine room.”
He added that the minister’s presentation also revealed that when fully adopted, the plan will generate up to $90 billion for Nigeria in the near future.
“The presentation projected that the strategy will build up to 74 -90 billion in that sector by the year 2035, in direct partnership with the sub-nationals, the State Governors, the private sector and foreign investors under a very sound federal regulatory umbrella” the governor added.
He listed the components of the scheme to include animal health and zones control, feed development, water resources management, statistics and information and breed improvement.
Also, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, disclosed that the council supports a proposed technical education programme that will help the country’s youth acquire skills, as a way of addressing unemployment.
He said: “The Ministry of Education at the national level came up with the initiative of technical and vocational education for our youth so that they acquire skills in various sectors.”
He revealed that the Education Ministry has identified the various technical schools owned by the federal government.
“And they have worked on equipping the schools and are now working on ensuring that there are enough technical teachers in order for the programme to be successful.
“So the Minister asked members of Council, especially the State governors, to also participate in this new initiative so that we will continue to reduce unemployment,” he said.
Sule said the council was excited about the proposal and commended both the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies that will collaborate to ensure its success.
