*Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says administration鈥檚 renewed focus in driving international and local investments into livestock sector of the agricultural value-chain will address the crisis of farmer-herder clashes, eradicate hunger and poverty, and promote economic prosperity in the country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated his administration鈥檚 renewed focus on driving international and local investments into livestock sector of the agricultural value-chain, to end the crisis of farmer-herder clashes, eradicate hunger, poverty, promote economic prosperity in Nigeria.

The Federal Government noted President Tinubu said this Thursday, November 21, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the signing of a Letter of Intent between Nigeria and the JBS S.A, one of the three top largest meat processing companies globally.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated Tinubu also said: 鈥淲hat we are doing right now is that we are solving a problem that afflicted humanity in that part of Africa, clashes between farmers and migrating cows that have caused some life and bloodshed when there is a modern, civilised way to solve those problems and even bring a successful economy out of it.

鈥淲e are trying to turn a situation of tragedy, hopelessness into economic opportunity, see through problems, and see the opportunity that is involved in it.鈥�

The Nigerian leader also urged the company to see the considerable potential in what he called the $2.5billion livestock investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially with its huge population and tap into it, given JBS S.A’s globally recognised expertise in the area of guaranteeing food security.

The President further stated: 鈥淲e’ve heard so much about you in terms of the reputation, and we believe in the partnership we are forging today.

鈥淔ood security is extremely important. As we talk right now, there is hunger.

鈥淗owever, there is huge hope. And you are one of those hopes that we are looking at.鈥�

鈥楴igeria is ready to do business鈥�

Restating the significance of the engagement with the company, President Tinubu told the JBS top executives that Nigeria is ready to do business with them, assuring them of good returns on their investment.

The statement noted that prior to his visit to Brazil, Tinubu had commissioned a team of Nigerian officials and private sector players to take the advantage of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio to conduct a study tour of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and explore the opportunities in livestock development, meat processing, seed development and multiplication for key grains.

In his remarks, Idi Muhktar Mahia, Honourable Minister for Livestock Development, who led the delegation, reported to the President that the team embarked on guided, extended, and intensive tours of companies on the scale of their global reach, the integrated nature of their operations, as well as the deployment of advanced technology.

The Minister stated that from their interactions with various companies, JBS S.A. was chosen being the second largest meat processing company in the world with the capacity to process 33,000 cattle daily and over eight million birds daily, using advanced zero-waste practices.

The company employs over 200,000 people across its subsidiaries in over 50 countries in the world, including the United States (US), Canada, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia among others.

We鈥檙e glad to work with Nigeria to develop livestock industry: Batista, Founder of JBS Group

Speaking at the forum, Wesley Batista, Founder and President of the JBS group, said the company is the largest employer of labour in Brazil with over $79 billion revenue already in year 2024.

Batista stated: 鈥淲e are glad to work with Nigeria to work together to develop the livestock industry there.

鈥淲e think it鈥檚 a good opportunity for our business in Nigeria and Africa as we believe Nigeria can be the center of supply of protein to many countries in Africa.

鈥淲e look forward to working with you. We are almost in December and this year is almost gone. We hope to be in Nigeria as soon as possible.鈥�

Other members of the delegation included Minister of State Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Co-chairman Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the Secretary of the Committee, Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahya, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Aisha Rimi.

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