Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, opened the livestock improvement and ranch settlement in the state’s Mafa Local Government Area on Saturday.
The governor said the 4-square-kilometer center was constructed for 461 nomadic families from 18 communities impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Among the guests were Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and Co-Chair of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Committee Atahiru Jega.
“Each of the 461 families received pairs of bulls and heifers, goats, and a humanitarian relief package consisting of essential food and non-food items,” he said.
He added that the project features modern dairy and beef upgrading facilities, schools, health clinics, veterinary services, and a housing complex with road networks.
“Other facilities are pasture development centres, milk collection centres, earth dams to secure water supply, markets to foster local trade, and security outposts to ensure a safe and secure environment for all,” he added.
In his remarks, Professor Attahiru Jega praised the governor of Borno State for creating the cattle ranch, calling it the first of its kind in Nigeria.
“I must say that I witnessed something I had never seen in our country today. We have seen today the vision of a leader, the passion and commitment to what clearly will help drive economic growth, uplift the lives and livelihood of people and provide employment to our citizens,” Jega said.
“It is highly commendable and encouraging that Borno State has shown leadership and commitment to livestock development based on what we have seen at today’s event,” he added.
He said, “It is gratifying that the state is ahead with the launching of the Annual Animal Vaccination Scheme and distribution of livestock for livelihood restoration and economic empowerment of the citizens. It is commendable that the state has both the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development and Borno State Livestock Management Agency.”
Maiha expressed gratitude for the governor’s dedication to cattle development.
The ministers said, “I am delighted to join you at this occasion of the commissioning of Ngarannam Livestock Improvement Ranch Settlement built by Borno State Government. I wholeheartedly congratulate and commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, on this laudable project which will immensely benefit the good people of Borno State and Nigeria in general, with attendant implications for addressing the food security challenges in our nation.”
Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement is one of three established by the Zulum administration, one in each senatorial district of the state, according to Umar Usman Kadafur, the Deputy Governor of Borno and the overseeing Commissioner for the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, who made this statement earlier in his welcome address.
He claims that although Ngarannam’s is commissioned, the other two are likewise 90% complete.
He said, “It is with immense gratitude and pride that I stand before you today to welcome you all as we commission Ngarannam RUGA as first in the list of the three livestock ranching centres (RUGA) located on Grazing Reserve across the three senatorial districts of Borno State.”
He concluded, “These centres symbolise our commitment to sustainable development, peaceful coexistence, and economic empowerment for our people. The remaining two RUGA centres will be commissioned in due course as the works have reached over 90 per cent completion.”