By Stanley Onyekwere
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called on participants at the ongoing regional conference on conflict resolution in livestock sub-sector, to provide the region with a roadmap that will help steer towards a stable and prosperous livestock sub-sector, and contribute to achieving food and nutrition security.
Aliyu stressed that such roadmap would enable the sector create needed jobs, and stimulate further diversification of the economy away from other mineral resources.
She made this call at the opening ceremony of the regional summit, organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAD), in Abuja.
While commending the conference theme: “Promoting Regional Peace and Climate Security in the Livestock Sector“, the Minister stated this could direct participants to focus on developing conflict resolution techniques and seeking peace building relationships across ethnic, national and international boundaries.
According to her: “Our countries more than ever before are in dire need of the participation of key stakeholders in enhancing agribusiness for increased food security and employment along commodity value chains and agro-industrial development to earn foreign exchange and contribute to socio-economic development of the region.
“It is indeed heartwarming to see the high level of enthusiasm and willingness of the region to engage with stakeholders towards building a virile economic sector development”.
She, therefore, assured participants that the FCT Administration would continue to remain committed to the implementation of 10 years Livestock Development Plan for growth and development of the sector.
She adds; “the FCT is not just about infrastructural development, the FCT Administration has also given due attention to the agricultural sector in order to meet the needs of the growing population of FCT with food and nutrition security”.
Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, noted that the livestock sub-sector has been instrumental to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
He further noted that with adequate attention, the livestock could be a major driver in quest for sustainable food and nutrition security.
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