A former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has called on the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to invest sufficiently in the livestock sector to boost the economy and improve the nation’s revenue.
Lawan made the call in a speech to flag off the sixth livestock vaccination programme in Yusufari LGA of Yobe State.
The annual livestock vaccination programme by Senator Lawan is to protect livestock from common diseases and ensure their health.
Veterinarians were on hand to administer vaccines to cattle, sheep, goats, and other animals. The programme also includes the distribution of free livestock feed and supplements to help improve the health and productivity of livestock.
According to Lawan, government investment in the livestock sector is currently not commensurate with its value, which is estimated at over N30trn.
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He said, “Livestock in this zone – Yobe North – and indeed across other parts of Nigeria and our neighbouring country of Niger, enjoy this free annual livestock vaccination that we undertake every year.
“This is because we owe our nomads and herdsmen this much. I believe that the contribution of the livestock sector in Nigeria is huge economically, and the government can only be fair to the livestock sector if it invests appropriately and justifiably.
“Today, the livestock sector is worth over N30trn in Nigeria. How can you not invest in this sector? I will take this opportunity to emphasise my earlier calls for more and more investments by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the livestock sector.”
