Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has been commended by the Federal Government for his visionary strides in livestock development — initiatives aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Livestock Transformation Agenda under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The commendation was delivered by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during the official groundbreaking ceremony for the 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone, held on Saturday in Gombe.
The project, a cornerstone of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s agro-industrial transformation plan, features an ultramodern abattoir, an international cattle market, a tannery, leather processing facilities, and a dry inland port designed to connect processed livestock and grain products to local and international markets.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister noted that the establishment of the Agro-Livestock Development Zone is a strategic step to enhance animal processing capacity, not only for the Northeast but Nigeria as a whole.
According to him, “I am delighted to witness this historic milestone in Gombe State. It is indeed another indelible footprint of the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.”
He stressed that, “This feat is in total alignment with the actualization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a strategic step towards improving our animal processing for local and international consumption.”
The Minister added that, “This massive investment, which will process 500 bulls, 1,000 small ruminants and 3,000 poultry births daily, translating into 182,500 bulls, 365 goats and sheep, 1,095,000 poultry in a year. This is a game-changer in the North-East and indeed in Nigeria.”
While applauding the Governor, Mukhtar Maiha said, “Your Excellency, Mr Governor, you have shown how it is going to be done. Other governors can only emulate from you. You deserve an accolade for achieving this great feat.”
In his address, the Governor described the initiative as a “historic turning point” for the agro-livestock economy.
He stressed that, “Today’s ceremony demonstrates our firm commitment to transforming Gombe State’s agricultural and livestock sectors, thus unlocking new levels of productivity, prosperity, and opportunity for our people.”
“Today’s ground-breaking event is a bold step towards building a prosperous and sustainable future in our livestock development,” the Governor stated.
Inuwa Yahaya noted that over 80% of the population of Gombe is engaged in agriculture and livestock farming and that the project aims to restore the state’s historical prominence as a regional hub for grains and livestock trading — once led by visionary figures such as Sarki Haruna in the 1920s.
He added that the Agro-Livestock Zone is the culmination of years of strategic investment and reform, including mass livestock vaccination programmes, the establishment of milk cooperatives, the drilling of over 70 solar-powered boreholes, the re-demarcation of grazing reserves under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience (L-PRES) project, and improved veterinary infrastructure.
The Governor used the occasion to announce an ambitious N50 billion water canalisation project from River Gongola to the Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve, which is expected to benefit over one million pastoralists directly and over five million people indirectly.
According to him, “In 2022, through a strategic partnership with the USAID-supported Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity and Messrs Mercy Corps, we undertook a comprehensive technical and feasibility study for water canalisation from River Gongola into Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve.”
The proposed 36 km canal will address longstanding water scarcity challenges and directly support over 1,000,000 pastoralists while indirectly benefiting more than 5 million people.
“The project, which is designed and estimated at over N50 billion, is expected to enhance climate resilience, food security, and sustainable livestock production,” the Governor announced.
The Governor expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the sum of N120 billion to support the implementation of key agricultural initiatives, including the ambitious Agro-Livestock Development Project.
He disclosed that the state has already accessed N60 billion from the approved funds, which will be deployed to fast-track the development of critical infrastructure within the zone.
He noted that the Federal Government’s intervention not only reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to agricultural transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda but also demonstrates a strategic partnership between the federal and state governments to boost food security, create jobs, and promote sustainable economic growth through the livestock value chain.
Inuwa Yahaya also announced that the contract for the ultramodern abattoir — designed to serve both domestic and international meat markets — has been awarded at N7.5 billion to Lubell Nigeria Limited, with a project completion timeline of nine months. He charged the contractor to deliver according to global best standards.
Speaking at the event, the National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Baba Othman Ngelzarma, commended Inuwa Yahaya’s inclusive approach, especially his efforts in fostering peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders through dispute resolution committees, infrastructure development, and grazing reserve revitalisation. He assured the Governor that the initiative will support his members and improve their business.
The Emir of Gombe, HRH Alh. (Dr.) Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, also commended the Governor for his foresight and progressive leadership.
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The traditional ruler assured continued support for such initiatives, while urging the citizens of Gombe, especially the immediate beneficiaries, to take full ownership of the project and ensure its effective utilisation for the good of the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Barnabas Malle, stated that since the inception of the Inuwa Yahaya-led administration, his Ministry has received the necessary support to implement programmes and policies that transform agriculture and livestock development in the state.
Highlight of the event was the symbolic foundation laying for the construction of the ultramodern abattoir, jointly performed by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and Governor Inuwa Yahaya, as well as the planting of trees, as contained in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe.
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