The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has described the movement of cattle within urban areas as “embarrassing” and said efforts are underway to end the practice.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, MACBAN President, Baba Othman, said the association convened a meeting last week at the instance of its Board of Trustees Chairman, the Sultan of Sokoto, to discuss the matter.
According to Othman, MACBAN is working with the Ministry of Livestock Development and the Ministry of Education to develop lasting solutions, stressing that about 80 percent of out-of-school children in Nigeria come from pastoralist families.
He disclosed that a committee has been directed to produce a blueprint for addressing the problem, adding that the association is actively involved in government livestock transformation initiatives, including the committee led by former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega.
“It’s very embarrassing to see cattle moving everywhere in the city,” Othman said. “That is why we called for the meeting, to hear from herders in Abuja and work with the relevant ministries to stop this trend. The minister has now directed that a committee be set up to urgently develop solutions, and we are fully engaged in the process.”MACBAN, Govt Partner to Stop Cattle in Towns
