NIGER STATE GOVERNMENT, NIGER FOODS, BAGO RUGA- RUGA ASSOCIATION INTENSIFY LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT THROUGH LIIMS SENSITIZATION
By Rashidat AbdulRahman
The Niger State Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, the Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs, the Bago Ruga Ruga Association, and Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited have intensified efforts to transform livestock development in the state through a sensitization programme on the Livestock Identification, Inspection and Management System (LIIMS).
The sensitization campaign, held on Saturday at the Niger Foods Headquarters in Minna, brought together cattle breeders, pastoralists, veterinary professionals, livestock traders and government officials to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the digital livestock management initiative and the cattle finishing (feedlot system)
Speaking during the programme, the Executive Director of Niger Foods, Mr. Ola Oloyede, described LIIMS as a strategic digital platform designed to revolutionize livestock administration through efficient animal identification, registration and traceability. He explained that the initiative would strengthen disease surveillance, curb cattle rustling, facilitate the movement of livestock, improve data driven planning and support effective management across the livestock value chain.
Mr. Oloyede noted that livestock managed under the LIIMS platform aligns with the agricultural transformation agenda of the Farmer Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, particularly the vision of establishing a modern livestock economy capable of supporting red meat processing and export through the Minna Airport Special Agro Processing and Free Trade Zone. He reaffirmed Niger Foods’ commitment to working closely with government agencies, pastoralists, livestock owners and development partners to modernize livestock production, enhance food security, create employment opportunities and promote sustainable economic growth.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Livestock and Fisheries, Hon. Abdullahi Mammagi, the Commissioner for Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs, Umar Ahmad Raba, and the Coordinator of the Bago Ruga Ruga Association, Alhaji Hassan Shiroro, commended Niger Foods for introducing the LIIMS initiative. They described the programme as a timely intervention that would strengthen livestock management, improve compliance within the livestock marketing system, enhance security through accurate identification and traceability of animals, protect the livelihoods of pastoralists and expand economic opportunities across the livestock value chain.
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