Nigeria partners with Niger, Benin on integrated pastoralism

Nigeria through the National Boundary Commission is working hand-in-hand with Niger and Benin Republics towards integrated pastoralism and ways to tackle security challenges in West African sub-region.
The representative of National Boundary Commission and a Director, Adamu Adaji made this known at a one week training workshop on Integrated and Secure Pastoralism and Livestock Management in West Africa held in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
The workshop is part of activities to mark 2021 Pastoralism Week.
Adaji said: “The meeting between Nigerian, Niger and Benin Republic, on integrated pastoralism is very important as it will come up with a way forward to address security challenges.
“The meeting will no doubt assist in strengthening the good working relationship and enhancing agricultural transformation, reduced pastoralists/farmers conflicts, banditry as well as reducing the menace of kidnapping in West African region.”
Adaji added that Nigeria through the National Boundary Commission would also work hand-in-hand with the two neighbouring countries of Niger and Benin to ensure peace, harmony and development of pastoralism and agriculture in the region.
“We are optimism that, President Muhammad Buhari’s led administration and the state governments bordering with Niger and Benin Republics will ensure desired objective is achieved.”
Declaring the workshop open, Gov. Abubakar Atiku-Bagudu of Kebbi State described the workshop as timely and essential as issues bordering on livestock management and mobility as well as security challenges in West Africa and Sahel would be discussed.
The governor, who was represented by Commissioner, Ministry for Animal Health, Husbandry and Fisheries, Alhaji Aminu Garba-Dandiga said the state government decided to host the workshop as part of its activities marking the week.
Atiku-Bagudu said considering the potentials and role of the state in the livestock development, pastoralists’ welfare and relative security, the workshop was apt and necessary.
“Statistically, our position on livestock and pastoralist population in Nigeria is placed as second and first respectively, as it strategically, borders Benin and Niger Republics with whom the state has cordial relationship especially in agricultural and commercial activities over the years.
“Transhumance or mobile livestock system is traditional system in livestock farming, where pastoralists move from one place to another, within and outside the country searching for greener pastures.
“This aged tradition has advantage, as it promotes understanding, commerce, trade and economic development in the region, but has disadvantage as it brought insecurity ranging from banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping in the region as terrors and criminals taken advantage of this system to terrorize the region,” he noted.
The governor informed the gathering that the state government had improved livestock production through granting soft loans, provision of animal feeds to pastoralists in the state, provision of nomadic schools across various pastoralists’ settlements.
He explained that government was into training of pastoralist women as custodians of cow milk on modern method of milking and preservation as well as providing social amenities to various settlements in the state.
The governor said that the state government had maintained good working relationship with various international pastoralists based organisations.
Atiku-Bagudu called on Fulani communities in the state to appreciate the kind gesture done to them by supporting government’s policies and programmes and disengage themselves from any issue that was harmful to the peaceful coexistence in the state and country at large.
In attendance were the Commissioners, Ministries for Local Government and Chiftaincy Affairs and Justice, Permanent Secretaries, Directors from National Boundary Commission among others.