Senate President, Ahmed Lawan said he would lead the fight to ensure that livestock farmers in Nigeria get better government support just like the banking, power sectors, and crop farmers.
Lawan said the livestock sector has long been neglected by successive governments, despite its huge economic potential.
He lamented that the situation is not helped by what he described as the "hypocritical" attitude of many Nigerians "when it comes to livestock rearers."
The Senate president was speaking when a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, led by the Minister, Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar visited him.
According to him, “This sector, the livestock sector, does not get the attention of the government. And I find it strange that here, you have a sector that has the potential of boosting our economy significantly, and yet it is neglected.
"I am not a Fulani in any way. I don't have any Fulani blood but I think our livestock rearers have not received a fair deal all through our history.
"As elected people, we owe every segment of those that elect us the obligation and responsibility to do what is right, to draw the attention of government and where we can do something personally we do so for the betterment of our people.
Senate President, Ahmed Lawan
"I think many Nigerians have been hypocritical. When it comes to livestock rearers, they will say, No, No, No, the government should not support them, it is a private business. That is hypocrisy.
"What can be more private than banks; individuals will establish banks, steal the money, then AMCON will take over. They will call it toxic assets and put the burden on our heads.
"Government has given over N1.2 trillion to Electricity Distribution Companies that have been sold to people. Even those who are engaged in crop farming, get something, maybe free, and when it comes to livestock, they will say it is a private business. That is hypocrisy. And it is unfair to those who are engaged in livestock farming.
"This is 2022. Next year there will be elections for the President, Governors, Senators, the House of Representatives, and state Assembly members. In the APC, I will fight until our manifesto provides for our livestock sub-sector program.
"Yes, I will lead the fight and there will be no problem because I believe that our administration must do something. And whatever is left for this administration, I am going to get more of my colleagues to push something for the livestock sector. Fair is fair.
"We just have to be fair to people and I think we have not been fair to our livestock animal rearers and fishermen. Our livestock sub-sector needs better attention.
"And I'm not talking politics. Leaders, at all levels of government, Federal, state, and Local Governments, must do something to address this. And Nigerians must desist from being hypocritical."
The Senate President through his foundation, the Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Foundation, has championed an annual program of free vaccination for cattle, goats, and sheep in his Yobe North Senatorial District in the past five years, according to SaharaReporters.
Politics and Opinion
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