The Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Wednesday called on the Kogi state government to establish the Ministry of Livestock Development in order to harness the potentials that abound in the sector.
Kogi state chairman of the association, Dr Omotugba Tolu, made the call at a press conference held in Lokoja.
He said research conducted in the state last year by the association indicated clearly that there are over one million cattle in Kogi state, stating the need for the state governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to leverage on the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development by President Ahmed Tinubu- led administration to replicate the ministry in the state.
Dr Tolu stated the economic importance of the ministry to the state and urged the governor to appoint a qualified veterinary doctor as the commissioner for effective management of the ministry.
“Our research proved to us that there are over 1,000,000 cattle scattered all over Kogi state. If the Ministry of Livestock is created, the state government stand a better chance of generating enormous revenue, create jobs for the youth and put an end to incessant herders/farmers crisis,” he said.