In a groundbreaking development for Nigeria’s livestock industry, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for securing a $2.5 billion partnership with JBS Group, the world’s second-largest meat processing company.

President of the NVMA, Dr. Moses Arokoyo, expressed his delight at the initiative, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize the nation’s livestock sector and bolster food security.
Speaking on the partnership, he congratulated the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Mahia, and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, CON, for their role in selecting JBS Group.
Known for its ability to process 33,000 cattle and over 8 million birds daily through advanced zero-waste practices, the company is expected to bring cutting-edge technology and expertise to Nigeria.

“This is a monumental achievement. The new Ministry of Livestock Development is already taking giant strides to ensure adequate protein availability for Nigerians,” Dr. Arokoyo stated.

The NVMA President also praised the significant contributions of Nigerian veterinary services, which have eradicated Rinderpest and controlled Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), creating a conducive environment for livestock trade and export.
He noted that these efforts have boosted investor confidence, paving the way for a partnership with JBS Group—a company operating in 50 countries with annual revenues exceeding $79 billion in 2024.

Dr. Arokoyo expressed optimism that the investment would address critical national issues, including food security, youth employment, and technology transfer. He pledged the full support of Nigeria’s veterinary professionals in ensuring the success of the project.

“We are aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda,” Dr. Arokoyo affirmed. “Veterinary professionals across all levels are ready to respond to the call for food security and sustainable development.”

This partnership is expected to have a ripple effect across Nigeria, benefiting all 774 local government areas and positioning the country as a leader in livestock development in Africa.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, attended his inaugural National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja.
The session was presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The NEC serves as a vital forum for state governors, deputy governors, and the federal government’s economic team to discuss and address key economic challenges.

In a gesture to mark his first appearance, Governor Okpebholo was invited by Vice President Shettima to lead the opening prayer after the national anthem.

This event underscores Edo State’s active commitment to collaborating on national economic policies and driving solutions for Nigeria’s progress.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed sharp criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that Nigeria’s decline is now evident to “every honest observer.”
Speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University in the U.S., Obasanjo attributed the country’s deteriorating state to leadership failure, pointing specifically to Tinubu’s governance, which he referred to as “Baba-go-slow and Emilokan.”

In his keynote address titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” Obasanjo highlighted that pervasive corruption and mismanagement have worsened Nigeria’s challenges, driving the country deeper into insecurity, division, and underdevelopment.
He quoted the late writer Chinua Achebe, who in his book The Trouble with Nigeria argued that the country’s fundamental problem is a failure of leadership, not a flaw in its people or resources. According to Obasanjo, this diagnosis remains as relevant today as it was over 40 years ago.

Obasanjo cited works by American experts Robert Rotberg and John Campbell, who have characterized Nigeria as a “failed state.” Their argument, he noted, suggests that Nigeria’s inability to maintain security and stability has serious implications for Africa and the world at large.

Additionally, the former President described “state capture” as a pressing issue in Nigeria, where powerful individuals and groups exploit government resources and policies for personal gain. Obasanjo argued that this corruption undermines national interests, with influential elites shaping the country’s legal and economic systems to benefit themselves. Such practices, he warned, compromise public welfare, affecting the quality of education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

In reflecting on Achebe’s legacy, Obasanjo praised the late author’s commitment to truth and the moral foundation he established for Nigeria. He urged Nigerians and the international community to recognize the dangers of state capture and work towards restoring a governance model that prioritizes the public good.