By Lurwanu Idris Malikawa
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Federal Government and private investors to modernise the livestock sector through the establishment of a modern abattoir and the improvement of livestock value chains across the state.
Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, stated this on Friday at the Government House, Kano, while receiving the Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, who was on a working visit to the state on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Garo said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Federal Government and Kano State in livestock development, covering cattle rearing, poultry, fisheries, hides and skins, dairy production and other businesses within the livestock value chain.
He described the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a landmark initiative, noting that Kano had also established a Ministry of Livestock Development under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to drive growth in the sector.
According to him, Kano has remained one of Nigeria’s leading livestock-producing and exporting states, supplying cattle to major markets across the country, including Lagos, as well as other African countries.
The deputy governor said discussions with the Federal Government centred on attracting investors to build a modern abattoir while upgrading the existing Kano abattoir, which has been in operation for more than 60 years.
He said the project would enable livestock to be processed locally to international standards, thereby creating jobs, reviving the hides and skins industry and improving meat processing for local consumption and export.
“We will collaborate with the ministry to ensure that this modern abattoir becomes a reality. It will create jobs for our youths, revive the hides and skins industry, and improve the quality of meat processing for both local consumption and export,” he said.
Garo added that the partnership would also strengthen poultry production through improved egg storage facilities, expand opportunities for women engaged in the poultry business, enhance dairy production through better milk processing and distribution, and support fisheries to increase household incomes and self-employment.
He expressed optimism that the Ministry of Livestock Development would unlock significant economic opportunities, particularly in northern Nigeria, saying the state would continue to work closely with the Federal Government and investors to transform the sector into a major driver of economic growth.
Earlier, the Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said his visit formed part of a nationwide tour to deepen collaboration with state governments in implementing the Federal Government’s livestock development agenda.
Maiha said Kano’s abundant agricultural resources, including its more than 13 dams, provide a strong foundation for implementing the Federal Government’s livestock development blueprint.
“We have all the resources, and with more than 13 dams in the state, we can achieve the blueprint in no time,” he said.
The minister also commended the Kano State Government for establishing a Ministry of Livestock Development, describing the move as a demonstration of its commitment to transforming the sector.
He recalled a previous meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in Abuja, during which the governor assured him of the state’s readiness to support the Federal Government’s livestock development initiatives.
“Kano is ready and waiting for you. To me, that statement says it all,” the minister said, expressing confidence that the state would emerge as a major hub for livestock development in the country.
