The Federal Government has commenced a phased development of grazing reserves across the country, beginning with three pilot locations in Gombe, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, as part of a broader, inter-ministerial effort involving state governments and the private sector.

Speaking on the initiative, the Head of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu. “It’s a phased approach. We can’t take all of them at once. There are 417 grazing reserves, and we intend to cover all of them. Starting with a couple of them as pilots: Wawa-Zange (Gombe State), Wase (Plateau State), and Kawu in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory,” she stated.

According to her, work has already begun in the three pilot locations, with collaboration extending beyond the federal level. “These are the three that we’ve started working on, and we’re doing it in collaboration with the state government, as well as the private sector. So over the years, as we get more funding and improved partnerships, we will spread to the other grazing reserves. But these are like the model for how the others will look.”
She explained that the development plan extends beyond livestock concerns and includes social infrastructure designed to improve living conditions for pastoral communities.

“So, it’s not just even the ministry, it’s an inter-ministerial activity, because we’re thinking of ensuring that these grazing reserves have good public schools for the pastoralists, for their children to attend. We’re trying to see that we have access roads. We’re trying to see that we have public healthcare,” Uchechukwu stated.

Housing and renewable energy are also part of the pilot projects, she said. “We’re trying to see that we have houses for the pastoralists to dwell in. We have signed a partnership for the solarisation of the Kawu grazing reserve in Abuja, and we’ll probably replicate it in the other grazing reserves that we’re working on. So, it’s a lot of money. The federal government will not bear the cost alone.”

Uchechukwu stressed that funding will be shared among multiple stakeholders to reduce the burden on the federal government. “We’re partnering with the state government and the private sector. So, I think as soon as we provide basic infrastructure in those grazing reserves, the private sector will be encouraged also to come in and pitch in terms of providing some structure to the abattoir and all of that.”

She noted that the cost of infrastructure development would be high. “If you’re thinking of constructing roads, healthcare facilities, schools, and housing units for these pastoralists, it will definitely run into millions of Naira. And other infrastructure too. Like the Kawu grazing reserve, we’re supposed to desilt.”

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday. Our correspondent sighted the governor walking towards the President’s office at 5:01 p.m., dressed in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and a black flat cap.

Minutes earlier, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, had been ushered in for a separate engagement. Details of both meetings remain undisclosed. Fubara’s visit comes amid speculation that he may defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress following political turbulence in Rivers State.

On December 5, 17 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, defected from the PDP to the APC, shifting the legislature’s balance of power. The only three lawmakers considered loyal to Fubara have not resumed sitting since the six-month emergency rule was lifted on September 18, deepening uncertainty about his political future.

Months earlier, Fubara had been reinstated as governor following the end of the emergency rule imposed by President Tinubu on March 18. Nwifuru, an APC governor and former Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, has also engaged the Presidency on infrastructure and security coordination in the South-East.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, disclosed this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday. During a site inspection about two weeks ago, Fubara had said the Assembly complex along Moscow Road would be completed before the end of the year.

He said he intended to present the 2026 budget in the new complex, noting, “I strongly believe that before the end of December, this particular place should be set. Maybe when they come in, the other side of the complex will be handled by the Speaker himself. But this major work on the site, I will make sure it is ready for them, so that we will present our budget for 2026 in the main hallowed chambers, in the dignified manner that befits us.”

Anabraba reiterated that Fubara is committed to delivering democratic dividends to all citizens, assuring residents of safety and adherence to peace.

“From December 10 to 23, the projects to be commissioned and flagged off will cover Ahoada East and West, Ogba/E

The African Democratic Congress has asked the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to make up his mind about joining the party.

The party said that although Obi was an important political leader needed in its coalition, it would not compel the former Anambra State governor to join.

Obi had, during an interview on YouTube with ‘Advocacy for Good Governance’ on Wednesday, stated that the ADC-led coalition was unstable due to some unresolved issues, including the zoning arrangement.

The presidential hopeful said he believed in the coalition despite being a member of the Labour Party, urging the ADC to settle some “fundamentals” necessary for a credible alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite his reservations, Obi expressed confidence in the quality of leaders driving the group, including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

When asked if he would stand by the coalition even if he did not emerge as its presidential candidate, Obi said he was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire for national progress.

But the Peter Obi Media Office said Obi never granted the interview. His media aide, Ibrahim Umar, in a statement on Friday, said Obi had confidence in the ADC. However, the spokesperson for the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, while speaking, said the party was not ready to toe Obi’s line of zoning.

He said the priority of the party was to convince Nigerians that it was a credible alternative.

“We’re not talking about zoning or no zoning now. Nigerians are still waiting for us to tell them what we will do differently. So, zoning or no zoning is not on the table now. If that is the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait till that time.

“I understand what Peter has been saying. But I will encourage him to make up his mind if he wants to be part of the coalition or not. Because the most important thing for us is how we can convince Nigerians that we represent the credible alternative, and this is without prejudice to where the candidate will come from,” he said.

The ADC spokesperson said the party wanted Obi and encouraged him to be part of the coalition.