NSAP Seeks Strong Military Support To Tackle Insecurity In Livestock Sector

livestock sector. Olaniyi Babayemi, the president of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), has urged stronger civil-military collaboration to enhance livestock production and tackle security challenges.

Mr Babayemi spoke on Saturday at a media briefing ahead of the Society’s 51st annual conference, scheduled for Monday at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

He said the theme, ‘Civil-Military Collaboration for Sustainable Livestock Production and National Security,’ would highlight the growing link between agriculture and national security.

Mr Babayemi, also Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State, said livestock production now plays a vital role in national stability.

“Where farmers and herders cannot operate safely, food production declines, livelihoods are disrupted, and instability increases,” he said.

He noted that the military’s logistics, intelligence, and operational strengths could help secure grazing routes and farming communities.

According to Mr Babayemi, the collaboration does not mean militarising agriculture but creating a safe and enabling environment for productivity.

He emphasised peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farmers, advocating ranching, controlled grazing, and improved feed management as sustainable solutions.

“The future of livestock production depends on peaceful coexistence. Productivity and harmony must go hand in hand,” he added.

He said about 1,000 participants, including officials, military leaders, academics, and industry stakeholders, would attend the conference.

Mr Babayemi also highlighted achievements, including stronger institutional frameworks, expanded global engagement, and plans for a permanent Abuja secretariat.

He expressed optimism that the conference would yield practical recommendations to boost production, reduce conflicts, and strengthen national stability.

“Food security is everyone’s responsibility. A secure livestock sector means a more stable and prosperous nation,” he said.

Also speaking, the local organising committee chairman, Philip Vantsawa, described the choice of the Nigerian Defence Academy as strategic and unprecedented.

Mr Vantsawa said the decision departed from over five decades of hosting the conference solely in civilian universities.

According to him, the move aligns with the theme and reflects the need for cross-sector collaboration.

“NDA has never hosted a conference of this scale. As sub-Saharan Africa’s premier military university, it is the most suitable venue,” he said.

He said the conference would bring together scientists, agricultural experts, and security stakeholders to address pressing national challenges, especially farmer-herder conflicts.

Mr Vantsawa added that it would foster collaboration between civilian experts and the military to develop sustainable solutions.

“We are fully prepared to receive participants. The conference will deliver actionable strategies to address recurring livestock sector conflicts,” he said.

He said a key outcome would be a communiqué outlining a practical policy blueprint for government and stakeholders.

NSAP

According to him, it will chart a new direction for resolving farmer-herder crises and improving animal production systems.

Mr Vantsawa also conveyed the readiness of the academy’s leadership to host participants from across Nigeria and beyond.

“At the end, we expect robust collaboration and recommendations to guide policy and ensure lasting solutions,” he added.

The conference is expected to attract participants from academia, government agencies, the military, and the private sector.

Lent, Ramadan: President Tinubu Orders Nationwide Rice Distribution To Christians, Muslims

Lent, Ramadan: President Tinubu orders nationwide rice distribution to Christians, Muslims. President Bola Tinubu has ordered the distribution of rice across Nigeria for Christians and Muslims during Ramadan and Lent.

Tosin Ajuwon • March 16, 2026
BAGS OF RICE used to illustrate the story
Bags of rice [Credit: Premium Times Nigeria]
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the distribution of rice across Nigeria for Christians and Muslims during Ramadan and Lent.

A statement by the State House on Sunday said the gesture was intended to support families during the fasting period.

The statement said the intervention reflects the values of compassion, charity and solidarity associated with the two sacred seasons, which are widely observed across the country.

“Under the directive, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors will deploy their grassroots network nationwide to coordinate the distribution through structures at the state, local government and ward levels, structure, ensuring that families across the country benefit from the support during this season of fasting and reflection,” said the statement.

According to the statement, a similar intervention was implemented during last year’s Christmas celebrations, when rice was distributed nationwide to support Nigerians during the festive season.

It further explained that the continuation of the programme demonstrates Mr Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to supporting citizens during significant religious and cultural moments while promoting national unity.

“Both Muslim and Christian communities will benefit from the nationwide distribution as part of the effort to ensure that the spirit of compassion that defines Ramadan and Lent is reflected in political support for families across the country,” it added.

Rice

Lauding the gesture, Governor Hope Uzodimma said the programme reflected the president’s belief in strengthening national unity through acts of care and support for citizens.

According to the Imo governor, Ramadan and Lent are periods that remind Nigerians of sacrifice, generosity and the need to support one another.

He said the Renewed Hope Ambassadors network would ensure that the distribution reaches communities across the federation.

Tinubu Government Distributes Food, Nutrition Items To Vulnerable People In Adamawa

Tinubu Government distributes food, nutrition Items to vulnerable people in Adamawa. Items distributed include rice, beans, vegetable oil, palm oil, seasoning cubes and salt.

The federal government, on Tuesday in Yola, inaugurated the distribution of presidential emergency food and nutrition items to thousands of vulnerable people across the three senatorial zones of Adamawa.

Bernard Doro, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, said the exercise aimed to cushion the immediate effects of food insecurity and stabilise affected households.

“This distribution exercise is a decisive step to cushion the immediate effects of food insecurity and stabilise affected households.

“The government of Nigeria stands firmly with its citizens in moments of vulnerability,” he said.

Mr Doro added that beyond immediate relief, the government was pursuing reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s humanitarian and poverty-reduction architecture.

He said beneficiaries of the food assistance would be linked to broader federal government social protection interventions, including conditional cash transfers.

Other interventions, Mr Doro said, include livelihood restoration programmes, skills-acquisition initiatives, agricultural productivity support, and micro-enterprise financing, aimed at restoring dignity and economic self-reliance.

According to him, the federal government is expanding and strengthening the National Social Register (NSR) to integrate vulnerable households into structured social protection systems nationwide.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting vulnerable persons at the grassroots.

Adamawa

Mr Fintiri, represented by the state commissioner for reconstruction, rehabilitation, reintegration, and humanitarian services, Bello Hamman-Diram, described the intervention as timely and impactful.

He said the initiative aligned with the state’s humanitarian efforts through the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and assured us that the items would be distributed judiciously to targeted beneficiaries.

Faluma David, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed appreciation to Mr Tinubu for the gesture, saying it meant a lot to them considering their circumstances.

Items distributed include rice, beans, vegetable oil, palm oil, seasoning cubes, and salt.

The event was attended by government officials, community leaders, and development partners.