Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Kebbi State, has called for the need for a framework to control the movement of cattle from the Sahel to other regions in Africa, in order to prevent usual migration of pastoralists, who were always migrating during dry seasons from the Sahel to Southern regions, for pasture.
The governor made this known at 2021 Pastoralists Week held in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, which was jointly organized by Dosso state in Niger republic, Alibori state in Benin republic and Kebbi State, Nigeria, alongside ECOWAS and national boundary authorities of the three countries.
Bagudu, who is doubled as the Vice-Chairman of Nigeria’s Food Security Council (NFSC) stated that any framework designed by the meeting would be approved by the Nigerian government, as long as it serves the interests of unity and the progress of West African nations.
He explained that there must be a way to communicate to the ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) leadership, that there is a need to be united in this area to ensure generation of billions of dollars that can support the pastoral sector in West Africa.
“Even before then, the current protocol of West Africa, and the framework of operations, allows us to collaborate more and I propose that we send the recommendation to the appropriate authorities.
Sekou Sangare, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Governor of Dosso in Niger Republic, Assoumana Ahmadou and the Governor of Alibori in Benin Republic, Ky-Samah Bello, called for closer ties to deal with issues challenging pastoralism, insecurity, trans-human and cross-border cooperation.
They appreciated the warm hospitality they had received from the government and people of Kebbi State while congratulated the Kebbi state governor, Abubakar Atiku-Bagudu, and the entire people of Nigeria on the country’s 61st independence anniversary,
