Details Of Northern Governors Emergency Meeting Emerge

An emergency meeting is being held by the Northern Governors’ Forum in Kaduna to deliberate on issues surrounding insecurity, livestock management, Almajiris, and poverty.

Simon Lalong, Plateau State governor who is also chairman of the forum made this known while delivering his opening speech.

He stated that the meeting was summoned to address regional issues that were urgent, as well as the people’s wellbeing.

According to Lalung, a committee chaired by Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, and assigned to develop a comprehensive regional plan of action that could bring lasting solutions to the lingering crisis in the region was to present a briefing to the committee.

Lalung further stated that another major issue which is to be deliberated upon is the issue of livestock management in the country, particularly the Northern region, which has continued to generate discussions, controversy, misinformation, and even politicization.

“You are aware of the many attempts to find lasting solutions to the incessant farmers/herder clashes, cattle rustling and associated criminalities such as banditry, kidnapping amongst others,” he said.

The Chairman further explained that there will be deliberations on the National Livestock Transformation Plan adopted by the National Economic Council chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The plan seeks to support and strengthen the development of market-driven ranches in the livestock ecosystem for improved productivity through breed improvement, pasture production, efficient land, and water utilization.

“As a region that holds the comparative advantage in livestock management, as an economic and socio-cultural vocation, we need to come up with a common front on how to synergize and draw from the funds available for the program and also ensure that we derive maximum benefit for our people.

“Hopefully, we shall develop strategies on how best to deal with misinformation about the National livestock plan which is sometimes confused with the rural grazing area project,” he added.

He stated that the clarification was necessitated by the urgent need to cultivate all stakeholders and further provide a good environment for nomadic herders and those who rear livestock.

According to him, this can be achieved using the private/public partnership model.

The Chairman assured that, in the course of their engagement, the remodeled New Nigeria Development Company shopping mall will be commissioned.

He said that the remodeled complex was in line with the company’s mandate of promoting investments and enhancing commercial and industrial development of the region.

He recalled that a committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar to study the current structure, mission, and vision of the Company and come up with a road map on how best to resuscitate and reinvigorate the company.

“We have to think out of the box, especially, when it comes to the economy of our region which has so many needs that are staring us in the face every day”.

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