The Federal Government has announced plans to collaborate with key stakeholders to expedite the relocation of cattle that are currently roaming freely in the Abuja city centre to designated grazing reserves.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Maiha, made this disclosure on Tuesday during the 2025 Media Retreat in Kaduna, which was themed “Driving Livestock Growth Through Strategic Communication.”
Dr. Maiha revealed that the ministry is set to launch a nationwide peace campaign aimed at addressing the ongoing clashes between farmers and herders across the country.
“In a few weeks, the ministry will embark on a national peace campaign to achieve sustainable peace between farmers and herders, organized groups, and communities across the country,” he stated.
He also noted that the government has recently engaged with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as part of efforts to facilitate the relocation of cattle from the Abuja city centre to designated reserves.
“On Friday, we had a robust engagement with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as part of our moves to relocate animals roaming the city centre in Abuja to grazing reserves. We need peace. We must give ourselves peace,” he emphasized.
Dr. Maiha highlighted the importance of cooperation from state governments in achieving lasting peace in rural areas, stressing that stability in farming communities is essential for food security, job creation, and national development.
“We cannot keep on losing members of our armed forces to bad elements. We are working with all the security agencies to silence the guns. Our focus is to have a country with truckloads of milk and not armored personnel carriers. Milking machines should replace machine guns,” he remarked.
He underscored the significance of livestock development as a major driver of wealth creation, employment, food security, and rural stability, explaining that the ministry’s five-year priority will focus on implementing the right policies, programs, and projects to transform the livestock industry.
Additionally, Dr. Maiha stressed the role of effective communication in promoting the sector. “Following this retreat, we expect you to leverage your skills to further amplify the narrative of the livestock sector. We appreciate the influence of your profession and hope you will continue to use your pen strategically and positively in reporting on the sector. Your reporting has been instrumental in shaping public understanding of our policies and influencing the responses of farmers, herders, investors, and other stakeholders,” he told journalists at the retreat.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, represented by the Director of Ruminants and Monogastric Development, Dr. Victor Egbon, also highlighted the media’s role in shaping public perception of government initiatives.
According to her, communication in the livestock sector goes beyond passing information, as it plays a central role in building trust, shaping perceptions, and inspiring action.
“Media play a critical role in interpreting policies, reporting on developments, and conveying the realities of events, activities, interventions, and programs to Nigerians and the global community. Through this strategic partnership, we will address the challenges inherent in the sector and explore the abundant opportunities available. This retreat aims to enhance your proficiency in covering the livestock sector, elevate your work, and strengthen our partnership,” she stated.
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