New livestock ministry ‘II boost revenue, generate employment, others – FG

The new Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, announced by President Bola Tinubu, is to enhance protein production, increase employment opportunities, and generate more revenue for the country, the Federal Government has said.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents during the post-Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the new ministry’s primary focus is on livestock development, allowing the Ministry of Agriculture to focus on other areas.

Fagbemi stated that the potential benefits of the new ministry, such as improved protein intake for Nigerians, increased government revenue, and more employment opportunities, drove the decision to create it.

He said: “President formerly informed Council that a ministry known as the Ministry of Livestock Development is being established, and this is because he believes that the Ministry of Agriculture should be broken into two.

“One concentrating on livestock development because of what we stand to achieve in terms of protein, in terms of employment, in terms of earnings for the government, and how this one will rub off on the lives of an ordinary Nigerian citizen.

“So in respect of the Ministry of Livestock Development, in relation to the government policy of reducing governance, to every general rule, there must be an exception.

“What will dictate the decision of government, what is guiding the addition of government or action or reaction of government, is the overall interest of Nigerian citizens.

“So in respect of this livestock, the President has taken a very serious look at the contribution of agriculture. Agriculture, now divided into two, having announced that there is going to be another ministry. It goes without saying that those implications will also go with it.

“I agree that that may cost money, but it will be done in a way that the benefits will by far outweigh the losses or the concern that you may express.

“I have talked about this livestock, and I said one: apart from improving the protein intake of our people, it also provides money for the government because it is going to be on a large scale that will ensure money or revenue for the government.

“There is also going to be increased employment opportunities for people. So these are some of the areas that I think I should clear.”