Charting a Path Forward: Key Stakeholders Endorse Blueprint for Enhanced Livestock Sector and Conflict Resolution Habiba Sam

Charting a Path Forward: Key Stakeholders Endorse Blueprint for Enhanced Livestock Sector and Conflict Resolution

Habiba Sam 

In a significant stride towards bolstering Nigeria's agricultural landscape and fostering peace within rural communities, the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project recently convened a pivotal validation meeting in Benin City. The objective was clear: to secure unanimous endorsement for its meticulously developed Stakeholders Engagement Document Plan – a comprehensive strategy designed to guide collaborative efforts in the nation's livestock sector.

The validation gathering brought together a diverse and influential assembly of participants, reflecting the multifaceted nature of Nigeria's livestock ecosystem. Representatives from prominent bodies such as the Edo State Cattle Rearers Miyetti Allah, the Poultry Farmers Association, and the Veterinary Doctors Association were present. 

Their ranks were swelled by voices from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), respected Traditional Institutions, and critical government ministries including the Ministry of Livestock, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Budget and Statistics. This broad coalition collectively affirmed and validated the engagement document, signifying a shared commitment to its principles and proposed actions.

The L-PRES initiative itself is a collaborative powerhouse, generously sponsored by the federal government of Nigeria in conjunction with the World Bank. Its ambitious scope aims to inject vitality into the livestock sector of strategically selected states across the nation. 

These chosen states – Sokoto, Adamawa, Ondo, Taraba, Kogi, Plateau, Edo, and Delta – span Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, encompassing the South-West, North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-South, and South-East. Their selection was not arbitrary but based on rigorous criteria, considering each state's value chain potential and comparative advantage within the livestock industry, alongside robust sub-sector growth prospects.

During the validation meeting, Consultant Ebuke Olajhite Eseiri articulated the project's overarching vision with clarity and precision. He emphasized that the fundamental goal of the L-PRES project is twofold: primarily, to significantly enhance the productivity and commercial viability of targeted livestock production systems, thereby boosting economic opportunities for countless Nigerians. Secondly, and equally crucial, it seeks to fortify the resilience of livelihoods frequently jeopardized by the persistent challenges of farmer-herder conflicts, aiming to create sustainable peace and coexistence.

Eseiri further underscored the immediate next steps for the newly validated document, confirming that it would undergo official submission to all relevant authorities. Following this crucial administrative phase, the plan is slated for widespread publication and distribution across Nigeria, ensuring its accessibility and promoting broad awareness among all affected parties.

 He issued a direct appeal to the representatives of the various stakeholder groups present, urging them to return to their respective associations and conscientiously disseminate the document's content to their members. 

This "step-down" approach, he explained, is vital for ensuring that all stakeholders gain a comprehensive understanding of the operational framework and can effectively contribute to its successful implementation

In interviews conducted shortly after the meeting concluded, sentiments of optimism and appreciation were prevalent. Dr. Bathelomew Okoudu, President of CONGO, lauded the concerted efforts of both the Federal Government and the World Bank for their proactive approach in engaging stakeholders. 

He specifically praised the initiative's focus on collaboratively devising enduring solutions to the farmer-herder crisis, highlighting its potential to transform long-standing conflicts into pathways for mutual benefit. Dr. Okoudu expressed a profound conviction that if the recommendations embedded within the document are meticulously implemented, the farmer-herder crisis could indeed become a relic of the past.

Echoing these positive sentiments, Alhaji Mohammed SDSAL, the esteemed leader of the Fulaani-Saraki community in Edo State, commended the project's vision. He voiced his strong belief that the document, once fully operationalized, holds the key to resolving the deeply rooted and prolonged conflicts that have plagued communities for too long.

A point of concern, however, was raised earlier in the event by Dr. Osas Osaigie, who attended alongside a World Bank monitoring team. Dr. Osaigie drew attention to a critical shortage of veterinary doctors within Edo State. 

This scarcity, she explained, significantly hampers the effective monitoring and regulation of abattoirs throughout the state, posing potential risks to public health and animal welfare. She passionately appealed to the appropriate authorities to address this pressing issue, stressing that resolving the shortage of veterinary professionals is indispensable for the full realization of the L-PRES project's objectives in the state.