…Poised to Deepen Livestock Transformation, Modernisation

…Commissioner of Agric, L-PRES Coordinator Lead Delegation

Gombe State’s livestock transformation drive under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has received a significant boost as the state participated in the maiden meeting and inauguration of the National Council on Livestock Development (NCLD) held in Adamawa State.

The event, themed “Livestock Rebirth: Accelerating Renewed Hope,” aligns with Governor Yahaya’s ongoing vision to modernise the livestock industry, promote food security, and synchronise Gombe’s policies with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national livestock blueprint.

Gombe’s delegation was led by the Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas M. Malle, alongside the State Coordinator of Gombe L-PRES, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, and senior technical officers.

The team engaged with national stakeholders and experts, exchanged ideas, and inspected livestock facilities geared toward sector innovation and value-chain development.

As part of the two-day programme, the Federal Government commissioned an ultra-modern model veterinary hospital constructed under the L-PRES programme in Yola. Gombe State has already been selected among the beneficiaries to receive the same category of facility, further strengthening the state’s veterinary diagnostics and animal health service system.

These concerted efforts aimed to enhanced the state’s ongoing livestock reforms, which include investments in artificial insemination, dairy development, grazing reserves, abattoirs and modern veterinary services.

Speaking during the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Mukhtari Idi Maiha, described the meeting as historic, noting it is the first national council dedicated exclusively to livestock development, a sector he said contributes significantly to Nigeria’s revenue and food security.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the new ministry and initiating national livestock reforms.

Professor Usman Bello Abubakar stated that the outcomes of the council would further enhance livestock modernisation efforts in Gombe:

“With Gombe already leading in initiatives such as artificial insemination, dairy cooperatives and planned milk processing, the new federal direction will complement the state’s ambition to become a livestock innovation hub.”

Gombe’s participation is considered timely and strategic as the state is currently executing some of the most ambitious livestock investments in Nigeria, including an ultramodern abattoir, an international livestock market, dairy cooperatives, milk collection and processing infrastructure, and major pastoral development programmes.

With the forthcoming state-of-the-art veterinary hospital and the institutionalisation of national reforms, analysts believe Gombe is well positioned to consolidate its emerging status as a centre of livestock modernisation, veterinary excellence and agribusiness growth in Nigeria.

The council brought together senior policymakers, legislators, commissioners of agriculture from across the federation, State Project Coordinators of the 20 L-PRES participating states, private sector players, and key traditional rulers.