Channel energy towards creating enabling environment for livestock development, not ranching – MACBAN National President tells National Assembly

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Baba-Othman Ngelzarma

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

The National Assembly has been advised to channel its attention on the creation of an Agency that will take care of livestock and generate revenue to the Government rather than waste energy on the issue of ranching.

The assertion was made by the National President of Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba-Othman Ngelzarma while fielding questions from journalists in Bauchi shortly after inauguration of the new leadership of the Bauchi State Chapter of the Association.

Ngelzarma also advocated for the creation of a full pledged Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries by the Federal Government which will generate more revenue and add to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The MACBAN National President said that the creation of the Ministry would go a long way in addressing the problems associated with the livestock sector which he opined is a goldmine that has been neglected by the Government.

According to him, before the discovery of oil, the country generated its revenue from jangali (livestock taxes) which was used to build and developed the country’s infrastructure.

He lamented that, though the country has a large population of cattle in the whole of West African subregion, which if fully harnessed would have contributed a lot to the economy and address many issues, the sector was completely jettisoned shortly after oil was discovered.

Ngelzarma argued that the recent clamour surrounding the creation of ranches for cattle breeders, was a result of complete neglect of the livestock sector, calling for a rethink in that direction.

He opined that creation of ranches is a single aspect of livestock and cannot be the only solution towards arresting the numerous problems such as herders/farmers violent clashes bedeviling the country.

According to him, “Restriction of pastoralists to a particular place is a breach of his fundamental human rights. A Fulani is a Nigerian who enjoys same rights like any other ethnic groups existing in Nigeria. Efforts must be made to treat every Nigerian equally.”

He also frowned at the profiling of Fulani as criminals saying,”I am not saying that we don’t have bad eggs among us just as is found in every other tribe but generalisation is in itself a crime against the Fulani.”

The MACBAN National President cautioned most particularly, the media profiling against the entire Fulani as same saying that it is bad practice that must stop forthwith.

He however assured that members of MACBAN across the country are law abiding and hardworking people who are fully engaged in legitimate ventures that will move the country forward positively.