Meat business is a huge business. The global beef market alone is massive.

According to Global Beef Market Report for 2023, global beef market is projected to hit 421.61 billion dollars by 2028, with a 4.05 per cent compound annual growth rate.

The figure is a leap from 332.

29 billion dollars in 2022, In other words, over the next couples of years, the world’s beef industry is forecast to grow by 90 billion dollars.

The United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade) says Nigeria Exports of meat and edible meat offal stood at 200.66 dollars in 2021.

According to Statista, the Meat market in Nigeria is projected to grow by 10.

90 per cent between 2025 and 2029 resulting in a market volume of 71.84 billion dollars in 2029.

Annually, the country consumes around 360,000 metric tonnes of beef, it says.

China is the world’s largest importer of beef, importing more than 63 billion dollars worth of beef in the past 5 years, according to Iowa Farm Bureau.

One of the largest livestock breeding states in the country, Borno, sees the livestock market as a huge opportunity to improve revenue and become less dependent on handouts from the Federation Account.

It was against the background that the Prof. Babagana Zulum-led administration inaugurated the Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement Estate, the first of its kind in the state at Mafa Local Government Area.

According to Dr Umar Kadafur, Deputy Governor and Supervising Commissioner, Livestock and Fisheries Development Ministry, the Ngarannam livestock estate was designed in line with the required operational tools, equipment and infrastructure.

“These centres will play a vital role in enhancing the quality of livestock breeds, with a particular focus on improving milk and meat production.

“Borno State Government built and equipped the multi-million-naira Ngarannam Breeding Centre and Provided over 1.5 billion naira  for AI, Embroy Plssma Transfer Centres as well Liquid Nitrogen complex in the 2025 Budge,’’ he said

Kadafur said the pasture Development Centres, were critical for sustainable grazing, as they offer dedicated spaces for pasture cultivation to ensure year-round feed availability for livestock as designed in the project.

“Currently Borno State Ministry of Livestock is managing 20 hectares of pasture under irrigation and cultivated well over 200 hectares of Rain fed pasture across the state.

“By establishing milk collection hubs, we create opportunities for dairy farmers to earn a stable income, increase local milk production, and meet our state’s dairy needs,” the deputy governor said.

It is important that Borno takes advantage of its location, human and material resources to tap into the huge livestock market, said Prof. Attahiru Jega in his keynote at the event at the inauguration.

Jega, who is also the Co-chair of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Committee, spoke on: “Reforms in the Nigerian Livestock Sector: Unlocking Great Potentials for Economic Growth and Peaceful Coexistence.”

Jega’s paper focused on the long-term impact of the livestock industry in Nigeria and the effects of business expansion without perfecting viable marketing strategies.

“It is essential to prioritise and address the unique challenges faced by different regions,” he said, even as he emphasised improving productivity across the livestock value chain is a national priority.

Jega pointed out that regions with low animal output and market access may benefit more from first addressing market-related issues rather than focusing on productivity.

“Already a media report had established that China has been identified as one of the biggest beef markets in the world.

“If I were Zulum, I would take advantage of this information and see how the state’s livestock breeders could fashion their business standard to international best practices.

“This is in order to suit the demands of the teeming beef consumers in China and beyond,’’ Jega said.

Jega also urged the expansion of successful practices and models in managing the ranches, noting that many effective practices were currently being implemented on a small scale.

“Borno government has to start preparing the state’s livestock products to be competitive by  showcasing their healthy and well-fed cows before the international markets.

“For example, the development of improved animal breeds suited to various regions should be prioritised, especially for poultry adapted to specific agro-ecologies.

“Small and medium-scale dairy producers must embrace innovation and growth to remain competitive.

“Evidence indicates that start-ups and smaller dairy producers can thrive as demonstrated by small and medium-sized dairy companies driving the 1.1 billion dollars growth in the US dairy sector between 2015 and 2018,” he said.

Jega, therefore, called on the state to adopt diverse and integrated strategies, saying a multifaceted approach may be more effective in enhancing livestock value chains.

According to him, the transformative reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector will enhance productivity, reduce poverty, generate wealth, and bolster both domestic and international trade through import substitution.

“The livestock sector holds vast potential to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and promote sustainable development throughout Nigeria.

“However, significant challenges persist, and addressing them strategically and systematically, is the best, if not only way, to pave the way for a prosperous and peaceful future,” he argued.

But given the huge potential in the market, abandoning or neglecting it because of challenges is not an option.

“It is crucial to evaluate what works best for different producer categories and end-users, tailoring solutions accordingly.

“Additionally, building the ability of smallholder farmers is necessary to help them fully capitalise on the opportunities offered by value chain development.

“Strengthen commitment to animal agriculture research with a long-term focus Research should not be solely focused on quick, short-term solutions but should also prioritise sustainable models that foster long-term growth.

“The animal agriculture sector requires research that is responsive to the evolving needs of consumers and end-users.

“Develop more practical research-business strategies for the sub-sector, especially in vaccine production.

“The livestock sector needs strategies that bridge research and business, particularly in areas like vaccine development, to ensure greater industry resilience and sustainability,’’ Jega recommended.

He further advocated the establishment of “appropriate regulations with a focus on animal welfare, implementation of clear regulations that prioritise animal welfare, among others.

The Ministry of Livestock Development is at the centre of ensuring that the dream of leveraging the livestock market to boost internally-generated revenue is a reality.

The minister in charge of the ministry, Idi Maiha says in spite of challenges, it is achievable in line with Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Maiha said identifying with the Ngarannam Livestock Estate was a demonstration of collective agenda of expanding the commercial value of the nation’s livestock sector.

Maiha further said his ministry was currently embarking on key interventions to support the efforts of state governments to harness the inherent potential of the sector.

“These include rehabilitation of the grazing reserves and livestock markets across the country, breed improvement and vaccination against trans-boundary animal diseases such as contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste-Des-Petits-Ruminants (PPR).

“Furthermore, feed and fodder value chain is being organised through the cluster and productive alliance models for sustainable production.

“The goal is to transform the feed and fodder component of the value chain into growing businesses that would guaranty profit for the farmers,” the minister said.

One major obstacle to the growth and development of Borno State and other states in the northeast region over the decades is the Boko Haram insurgency.

Livestock farming is major aspect of life that took a hit as the insurgents took over swaths of land in the state.

Fortunately, Chief of Army Staff, Lieut.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, during a recent visit to expressed commitment to end the insurgency as soon as possible even as most portions under insurgents’ control have been reclaimed.

With peace returning to the area, it is expected that livestock business will begin to thrive once again. Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement Estate will be in a prime position to flourish.

Zulum appreciates the role of livestock sub-sector in supporting rural livelihoods and enhancing food security within the state’s borders as encapsulated in his 25-Year Development Plan as well as the 10 –Pact Agenda.

“The creation of these three Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) centres marks a significant milestone in our journey towards economic revitalisation and sustainable development.

“Each of these centres is a hub of comprehensive infrastructure, encompassing over 27 essential facilities that will enable our people to thrive and prosper in livestock and agricultural activities.

“These facilities include a housing estate complete with road networks, schools, health clinics, veterinary services, and state-of-the-art dairy and beef upgrading centres.

“We have established 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 said.

These infrastructure, according to him, represent not just physical structures but a beacon of hope, restoration, and resilience for the people of the state.

“Beyond establishing these centres, my administration has taken additional steps to restore livelihoods affected by insurgency.

“Each of the 461 households from eighteen communities in the Ngarannam area, who have been victims of Boko Haram insurgency, will receive pairs of bull and heifer, goats, and a humanitarian relief package consisting of essential food and non-food items.

“This support is not merely a gesture but a solid investment in the livelihoods of our citizens and a vital step in their journey towards self-sufficiency and dignity,’” Zulum said.

Experts say the effective application of the business principles as outlined by Jega will go a long way towards the realisation of the potential inherent in Zulum’s ambitious livestock business outlay.

(NANFeatures)

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Cross River State, nestled in Nigeria’s South-South region, known as the “People’s Paradise,” faces a major health challenge: ensuring proper vaccination coverage for its population, particularly its children.

Despite the availability of essential vaccines like the Pentavalent vaccine, Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), and measles vaccine, stockouts, delays, and infrastructure issues continue to disrupt immunisation efforts in the state. Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), elaborated on the extent of these issues.“The persistent challenges we face hinder our ability to meet the immunisation needs of our communities,” Dr. Otu remarked during a recent media engagement. Cross River State’s immunisation coverage is dismal, with statistics revealing that only 21% of children aged 12 to 23 months in the state are fully vaccinated. This presents a glaring gap in the efforts to protect children from preventable diseases and underscores the urgent need for intervention in the state’s primary healthcare system.One of the critical barriers to immunisation is the shortage of vaccines. Despite receiving government and international aid, primary healthcare centres in the state are often left with insufficient vaccine stock to meet the growing needs of the population. This has created a situation where children miss out on life-saving vaccines, putting them at risk for diseases like polio, measles, and pneumonia.Dr. Otu explained the challenges faced in accessing immunisation services, especially in rural areas. “Many families in rural areas are unaware of the importance of vaccination, while others cannot access health services due to distance, poor roads, and inadequate facilities,” she said.In response to these challenges, UNICEF has stepped in to help ease the strain on healthcare services in Cross River. UNICEF has provided solar-powered refrigerators and lighting systems to several primary healthcare centres, enabling better storage conditions for vaccines, especially in areas with unreliable electricity. Martin Dohlsten, UNICEF’s Health Manager, emphasized the significance of these initiatives, noting that they are part of the agency’s efforts to meet the targets of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2, which aims to reduce under-five mortality rates from 1.8% to 16.5% annually by 2030.Additionally, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in improving the state’s oxygen supply by establishing a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant in Calabar. Before this, respiratory issues, particularly in newborns, were a leading cause of mortality in the region. The introduction of this oxygen plant has significantly improved the availability of medical oxygen, helping to address a critical gap in treating respiratory conditions and preventing unnecessary deaths among newborns.Despite these efforts, a tour of several primary healthcare centres—Ikot Offiong Ambai PHC, Atimbo East PHC in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, and Ekpo Abasi Primary Healthcare Centre in Calabar South Ward 2—revealed numerous obstacles that hinder effective healthcare delivery. These centres, along with the Sick Baby Unit at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, face critical challenges such as dilapidated infrastructure, flooding, and limited resources, all of which impede their ability to provide quality services.In rural areas, flooding during the rainy season renders many healthcare centres inaccessible, further exacerbating the health crisis. Dilapidated infrastructure and poor drainage systems discourage both healthcare workers and patients from utilizing the centres, leading to overcrowding at other facilities. Dr. Otu lamented the situation, saying, “If you come here during the rainy season, this place is always waterlogged due to poor drainage. Health workers and patients have to wear rubber boots just to access the facility. It’s unsafe and unsanitary.”The demand for healthcare services at these centres is also overwhelming. The Ikot Offiong Ambai PHC, for example, serves ten communities, making it difficult for one facility to meet the healthcare needs of such a large population. Atim Okon Jimmy, a nurse at the facility, explained, “On Thursdays, we can have up to fifty mothers bringing their babies for immunisation. And it’s not just immunisations—they come for treatments, tests, and other healthcare services as well.”The facility’s capacity to meet these needs is strained, and there is an urgent need for more healthcare centres to be built to serve the growing population. Dr. Otu assured that the state government is working to address this issue by allocating land for the construction of new primary healthcare centres as part of an ongoing initiative to revitalise healthcare services across the state.Maternal and child health is another major concern in Cross River. The state grapples with high maternal and infant mortality rates, particularly in rural areas. UNICEF’s recent report highlighted that over 30% of pregnant women in Nigeria do not attend primary health centres for antenatal care, despite the recommendation of 48 antenatal visits before delivery. Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate stands at 576 per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world. Furthermore, neonatal mortality is also alarmingly high, with many babies dying within the first week of birth due to complications such as asphyxia, infections, and prematurity.These figures paint a grim picture of healthcare access in rural areas, where 38% of women make at least four antenatal care visits, compared to 75% in urban areas. The slow uptake of antenatal care, especially among young, poor, rural women, is a major reason why babies don’t survive beyond the first day. With only 36% of women in rural areas giving birth in health facilities compared to 74% in urban areas, the disparity in maternal care is striking.To address this, Dr. Otu revealed that the state is collaborating with traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to bridge the gap in maternal healthcare. By training TBAs to recognize danger signs during deliveries and referring women to health facilities in a timely manner, the state aims to reduce maternal and child mortality rates.Another critical challenge in Cross River’s healthcare system is the shortage of trained healthcare workers. Limited funding has hindered efforts to provide adequate training for staff, which is necessary to ensure the delivery of high-quality care. “We need more resources to train our staff and expand our facilities to accommodate more patients,” said the Medical Director of one of the primary healthcare centres.Furthermore, essential medical equipment such as delivery couches, patient beds, and oxygen concentrators are in short supply. This scarcity exacerbates the already strained healthcare system, making it difficult to meet the needs of the population. The state government and healthcare partners such as UNICEF are working to address these issues, but much more is needed to ensure that the healthcare system is adequately equipped to serve the people.Dr. Otu expressed optimism for the future, calling on organisations like UNICEF to provide continued support to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Cross River State. She stressed the need for expanding solar energy solutions for cold storage facilities, which would reduce reliance on costly and environmentally harmful diesel generators. “With sustained support and strategic interventions from organisations like UNICEF, we can significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes in Cross River State,” she said.Despite the daunting challenges, the state remains committed to improving healthcare delivery for its residents. However, the journey ahead requires more investment, innovation, and partnerships. The work of healthcare organisations, the state government, and international partners will be crucial in addressing the healthcare challenges in Cross River, and there is hope that with continued collaboration, progress will be made.As Cross River works to navigate these hurdles, the commitment to improving healthcare delivery is evident. But a lot more work remains to be done to ensure that every child in the “People’s Paradise” state has access to the life-saving vaccines they need and that mothers receive the quality healthcare they deserve.

For many years Borno has been among the regressive states in Western education, a situation  worsened by over a decade of the Boko Haram insurgency.

While it lasted, education, particularly at the basic level, was the worst hit as many some schools were closed for many months or even years and over 1,000 schools were destroyed.

This is not a surprise as the insurgents’ main ideology was to attack western education.

They had waged a relentless war against western education, kidnapping pupils and students, mainly girls and bullying teachers away from school.

According to a UNICEF report in 2017, more than half of all schools remain closed in Borno, the epicentre of the crisis where many teachers lost their lives and about 19,000 teachers were displaced.

In 2019, an educationist and university lecturer, Prof. Babagana Zulum, assumed office as governor. He made it clear that quality education is one of his leading areas of priority after security.

According to Zulum, if his administration could address the education problem, he would be a fulfilled man for laying the foundation for meaningful and rapid development.

Stakeholders in the sector believe that Zulum has cashed in on the relative peace now enjoyed in Borno to build on the foundation already laid by his predecessor, Kashim Shettima.

He focused on the education sector through the reconstruction of destroyed schools and the building of new ones of international standard.

The state government also embarked on mass enrolment of pupils and recruitment of qualified teachers for the new schools, as well as to replace the unqualified ones.

A committee was set up to screen public primary school teachers to ascertain their level of qualifications as a useful starting point for the needed transformation from the basic level.

The state Commissioner of Education, Mr Lawan Wakilbe conducted a Basic Literacy and Numeracy Competency Assessment for teachers in all the 27 Local Education Authorities (LEAs).

Tellingly, only 5,439 of the 17,229 teachers in primary schools who participated in the test were competent to teach.

The commissioner pointed out that 7,975 teachers were qualified but required further training if they must teach, adding that 3,815 others were unqualified and could not be trained.

“Furthermore, a review of their academic qualification shows that 1,627 teachers constituting 9.4 per cent are degree holders, 8,153 teachers constituting 47.3 per cent are NCE holders, and 2,066 constituting 12 per cent are diploma holders,” Wakilbe said.

He revealed that 713 teachers constituting 4.1 per cent, were Grade II holders, and 2,281 constituting 13.2 per cent, were SSCE/GCE or equivalent qualification.

He further said that 2,389 constituting 13.9 per cent had no formal qualification at all.

The committee presented 24 recommendations to the government to address the situation which are now being implemented.

Media reports show that over 5000 teachers have been recruited, while competent teachers discovered after the screening by the committee were properly placed based on their qualifications to further ginger them.

Training and retraining are also being provided for teachers who require  them.

These exercises were  carried out in collaboration with institutions such as the University of Maiduguri and Borno State University.

While inaugurating one of the newly constructed schools a few weeks ago in Maiduguri in, Zulum said the state had enrolled 70 per cent of its 2.2 million out-of-school children within the past five years

He also said that within that period, his administration constructed 104 schools, restored 2,931 classrooms and distributed millions of instructional materials to both basic and secondary schools across the state.

According to the governor, measures like the school feeding programme and distribution of free bicycles to ease mobility challenges for rural students also attracted more enrolment.

“We have established five Vocational Enterprise Institutes, two Second-Chance Women/Girls Skills Entrepreneurship Schools and reactivated nine existing vocational training centres.

“Our aim is to train approximately 5,000 artisans annually, empowering them with skills for self-reliance and addressing unemployment challenges.”

He commended development partners for playing a vital role in transforming the education sector in the state.

World Bank Country Director, Dr Ndiame Diop, who assured sustained support to Borno, said the bank has so far supported the construction of 41 schools and rehabilitation of 392 others across the state.

“This school is a symbol of resilience, a beacon of hope, and a testament to rebuilding better in the wake of adversity.

“We are impressed by the state’s efforts and remain committed to supporting Governor Zulum’s vision,” Diop stated.

Another aspect of the transformation of the sector is the housing scheme for teachers in rural areas.

Teachers’ retirement age has also been extended by five years from 35 to 40 and from 60 to 65 by age whichever comes first.

The government also upgraded the position and remuneration of Education Secretaries of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to that of Permanent Secretaries in ministries.

The position of Education Secretary was advertised and many professors and educationists from universities applied.

Shortlisted candidates made up of some professors sat for examinations and interviews to be employed as LEAs education secretaries to work in rural areas.

All LEAs are now provided with monitoring vehicles and a monthly stipend of N500,000 for each LEA for fueling to ensure effective monitoring.

Zulum said the LEAs are expected to produce positive results, and whoever fails to deliver will be shown the way out.

Private primary and secondary schools across the state considered critical stakeholders in providing quality education were also made to renew their registration and were graded accordingly.

At the tertiary level, the state has been supporting both state and federal government-owned institutions in the state to meet some requirements for accreditation of more courses.

It also recently spent over N9 billion as scholarships to 32,000 students studying at home and abroad, said Mallam Bala Isa, the Executive Secretary of the state scholarship board.

Bala said the state is now focused on sponsoring students studying science, technology, engineering, ICT, and mathematics.

Sangaya education is also being enhanced by creating the Borno Arabic and Sangaya Education Board and directing the integration of vocational skills in the sangaya centres and Islamiyya schools across the state.

The chairman of the board, Khalifa-Ali Abdulfathi, said the board has registered 2,775 Sangaya centres and validated 451 Islamiya schools across the state.

Abdulfathi said the centres have 12,309 teachers and 224,068 students out of which 128,789 are day students and the remaining 97,279 are boarding students.

He said that 2,613 of the Sangaya proprietors are Borno indigenes and have permanent land while 162 of the proprietors are migrants.

“It’s encouraging that most proprietors are willing to accept numeracy/literacy lessons in their centres.

“In addition, many centres are eager to get skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes.

“Of the registered 2,755 Sangaya centres, 1,683 qualify for full intervention, whereas 1,092 did not.

“However, those who did not qualify and have indicated a willingness to accept integration should be considered for support,” Abdulfathi said.

Many stakeholders have lauded the commitment and zeal exhibited by the government and people of Borno to get things right in many sectors, particularly education, which remains critical to development.

They hope that the measures being taken will yield positive results in line with the state’s 25-year development framework and 10-year strategic transformation plan geared towards a self-reliant Borno.

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani female education activist and 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner said that as part of recovery from the insurgency the commitment to reviving education is on the right track.

One of Malala’s popular statements is that “With guns you can kill terrorists, with education you can kill terrorism.” (NANFeatures)