By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector following an engagement with members of the Miyetti Allah Fulako Yeso Yeso Development Association (MAFYDA), who pledged their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s livestock transformation agenda and the proposed national ranching policy.

Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the end of the interactive engagement held recently in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, noted that the delegation’s visit demonstrated growing confidence in the Federal Government’s livestock transformation agenda and the national ranching policy being championed by the administration.

“They have shown their willingness and commitment to align with Mr. President’s vision in changing and transforming the livestock sector from its present subsistence animal husbandry system to a modern ranching system,” Mukhtar said.

He added that the Federal Government remains focused on rehabilitating grazing reserves, promoting pasture cultivation, strengthening animal health management systems, and supporting pastoralists with modern livestock production techniques capable of enhancing productivity and reducing conflicts associated with open grazing.

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry would commence a pilot artificial insemination programme targeting between 1,000 and 3,000 animals nationwide as part of efforts to improve local breeds and establish a sustainable framework for livestock genetic improvement.

“We are actually going to start this year with the insemination of about 1,000 to 3,000 animals across the country. This is just the first pilot to test run the adaptability and the proof of concept of this animal upgrade.

“We are going to procure seeds this year and distribute them to the pastoralists to start planting pasture so that by next year’s dry season, very few animals will now be seen roaming the countryside in search of fodder,” he added.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, stated that the interactive session would provide pastoralists with the opportunity to directly engage with the Government on issues affecting their livelihoods.

She commended the Association for their commitment to peacebuilding, which she described as one of the key priorities of the Ministry.

The Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Samuel Anzaku, disclosed that the Ministry had resumed annual livestock vaccination exercises against diseases such as CBPP, PPR, anthrax, hand Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and assured the pastoralists of government’s commitment to improving animal healthcare and taking veterinary services directly to livestock owners across the country.

“We’re going to do this as a yearly exercise so that our pastoralists who are right in the bush will feel the impact because we believe the animals are not in the town, they are in the bush,” he added

In his remarks, the President of the association, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, commended President Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a historic milestone for pastoral communities across Nigeria.

He informed the Minister that the association was seeking strategic collaboration with the Ministry on the implementation of national pastoral transformation programmes focused on livestock modernisation, ranch development, sustainable grazing systems, livestock value chain expansion, climate-resilient pastoral practices, and youth employment within the livestock ecosystem.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC) has raised concerns about Africa’s growing push towards water privatisation and the seeming exclusion of affected communities and groups in the implementation of the Africa Water Vision (AWV) 2063, warning that such an approach could undermine public accountability and, ultimately, access to safe water across the continent.

The coalition’s concerns followed a recent regional consultation in Abuja hosted by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) as part of ongoing continental consultations on the First Implementation Plan (2026–2033) of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy.

The meeting, which brought together representatives of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), development partners, and regional institutions, comes at a significant political moment following the African Union’s adoption of 2026 as the Year of “Ensuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

In a statement, OWORAC warned that the growing emphasis on private sector participation, blended financing models, and public-private partnerships in the water sector opens the door to increased privatisation of water services across Africa.

“Across Africa, such models have often resulted in rising water tariffs, weak public accountability, deteriorating labour conditions, and unequal access to water services,” the coalition stated. “When essential public services are transferred to corporate actors, the human right to water risks being subordinated to profit-driven interests.”

OWORAC also noted that water workers across the continent are increasingly becoming marginalised, victimised, or pushed into precarious working conditions under privatised systems, warning that any serious African water vision must recognise not only communities but also workers as central stakeholders in public water governance.

The coalition acknowledged the importance of investing in water infrastructure but warned against treating water primarily as an economic commodity.

“Water is first and foremost a public good and a human right,” the coalition stated. “Policies that prioritise investor confidence over universal access and public accountability, risk deepening inequality and worsening water insecurity for poor and vulnerable communities.”

The coalition also expressed worry over the exclusion of communities directly affected by water shortages and sanitation challenges, civil society organisations, and water workers’ unions from the Abuja consultation.

OWORAC noted that although the AWV 2063 commits to the inclusion of civil society in the co-design and implementation of the policy framework, the Abuja consultation appears to be dominated largely by government officials and regional institutions.

“The people most affected by water shortages and sanitation failures must not be sidelined from decisions about Africa’s water future,” the coalition said. “Community participation must be real, structured, and guaranteed.”

OWORAC further observed that the consultation offered little clarity on how the ambitious goals of AWV 2063 would be financed and implemented or what safeguards would exist to prevent rampant private sector control over public water systems.

The coalition said the concerns are particularly relevant given Senegal’s leadership role in continental water governance. Senegal currently chairs AMCOW and plays a central role in shaping Africa’s water policy direction.

OWORAC pointed to ongoing criticism surrounding urban water management in Senegal where water distribution is managed by Sen’Eau, a company largely controlled by the French multinational Suez, as an important case study for the rest of the continent.

Since the arrangement began in 2020, communities have raised concerns over rising water costs, poor service delivery, transparency issues, and the weakening of public oversight. This is coupled with allegations of aggressive intimidation and retaliation against unionised workers exercising their right to advocate for more humane working conditions, spurring international condemnation.

The coalition also referenced Nigeria’s own water challenges, noting that millions of Nigerians still lack reliable access to safe drinking water even with the country’s prominent role in regional policy discussions.

“Across Nigeria, many communities depend on private water vendors, boreholes, and other informal sources because public water systems have suffered years of neglect and underinvestment stemming from a dogmatic pursuit of the false solution of privatisation,” the statement noted. “Despite various privatisation and commercialisation drives within the sector over the years, water delivery has not significantly improved for ordinary people, while valuable public resources are diverted into creating an “enabling environment” for corporations. Instead, access challenges, inequality, and the financial burden on households have continued to deepen.”

OWORAC therefore called on African governments, regional institutions, and development partners to ensure that the implementation of the Africa Water Vision 2063 is guided by transparency, inclusiveness, public accountability, and a commitment to public control of water.

The coalition urged governments across the continent to strengthen public water systems, reject policies that encourage privatisation, and guarantee meaningful participation of communities, workers, civil society organisations in water governance decisions.

“Water is a public good,” OWORAC stated. “Its future must be determined by the people who depend on it for life and dignity, not by profit.”

OWORAC is a network of grassroots organisations, community movements, activists, trade unions, and civil society groups from nearly a dozen African countries united by the belief that access to clean, affordable water is a fundamental right, not a commodity for profit.

From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano

The Chairman of Bichi Local Government Council, Hon. Hamza Sule Maifata, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving education through massive support for students, teachers and education administrators across the local government area.

The Chairman, who was represented by the member-elect representing Bichi Local Government Area at the Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Lawan Shehu, made the declaration during the MAIFATA Prize Award Day held at the Bichi Local Government Secretariat.

Speaking at the event the council leadership said the initiative was aimed at encouraging academic excellence and rewarding hard work among pupils, teachers and school administrators in the area.

During the ceremony, several students from different primary schools across Bichi Local Government received awards for exceptional performance in various categories including Best Overall Student, Best Student in English Language and Best Student in Mathematics.

Students who emerged first, second and third positions were also honoured with prizes and recognition for their outstanding academic achievements.

In a major highlight of the event, the overall best student among primary school pupils in Bichi, a pupil from Badume Special Primary School, was presented with a brand-new bicycle as a reward for academic excellence.

Similarly, the most outstanding teacher was rewarded with a new Lifan motorcycle, while the Bichi Local Government Education Authority received an official vehicle to strengthen its operations.

The Executive Secretary of the Local Education Authority was also presented with a new motorcycle in recognition of efforts toward improving the education sector in the area.

The organisers noted that the gesture reflects the strong commitment of Hon. Hamza Sule Maifata’s administration to the development of education, in line with the education-friendly policies of Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Residents and stakeholders at the event commended the initiative, describing it as a major step toward motivating students and teachers to strive for excellence and improving the standard of education in Bichi Local Government Area.