The federal government states that it is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to expedite the relocation of cattle grazing in the Abuja city centre to designated grazing reserves.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2025 Media Retreat in Kaduna with the theme ‘Driving Livestock Growth through Strategic Communication’.

Mr Maiha said the ministry would, in the coming weeks, unveil a national peace campaign aimed at ending farmer-herder conflicts across the country.

“In a few weeks, the ministry will embark on a national peace campaign to achieve sustainable peace between farmers and herders, organised groups, and communities across the country.

“On Friday, we had a robust engagement with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as part of our moves to relocate animals roaming the city centre in Abuja to grazing reserves. We need peace. We must give ourselves peace,” he said.

The minister highlighted the importance of a strong commitment from state governments to ensure comprehensive and lasting peace, reiterating that peace in rural communities is crucial for food security, job creation, and national stability.

“We cannot keep on losing members of our armed forces to bad elements. We are working with all the security agencies to silence the guns. Our focus is to have a country with truckloads of milk and not armoured personnel carriers. Milking machines should replace machine guns,” he said.

Mr Maiha said the livestock sector remained a key driver of wealth creation, job opportunities, food security, and rural stability. According to him, the ministry’s priority over the next five years is to provide the sector with the right policies, programmes, projects, and activities.

Speaking on the retreat, Maiha said communication was central to advancing the livestock sector.

“Following this retreat, we expect you to leverage your skills to further amplify the narrative of the livestock sector. We appreciate the influence of your profession and hope you will continue to use your pen strategically and positively in reporting on the sector.

“Your reporting has been instrumental in shaping public understanding of our policies and influencing the responses of farmers, herders, investors, and other stakeholders,” he said.

The permanent secretary of the ministry, Chinyere Akujobi, stated that the retreat highlighted the media’s role in shaping the public’s understanding of government initiatives.

The official said that effective communication was about fostering trust, shaping perceptions, and inspiring meaningful action.

“Media play a critical role in interpreting policies, reporting on developments, and conveying the realities of events, activities, interventions, and programmes to Nigerians and the global community.

“Through this strategic partnership, we will address the challenges inherent in the sector and explore the abundant opportunities available.

“This retreat aims to enhance your proficiency in covering the livestock sector, elevate your work, and strengthen our partnership,” said the perm sec.

(NAN)