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Today, I was in Niger state on a site visit to the massive Bobi grazing reserve, sitting on a 31,000ha land. I commend the state government for a comprehensive development plan to bring the grazing reserve to life. This is part of the solutions to the crop farmers/herders crisis. 
On a guided facility tour, I visited the veterinary clinic, the pasture pilots and one of the nine dams within the grazing reserve amongst others.
I also visited one of the three primary schools established within the grazing reserve to educate children of the pastoralists in their different settlements.
It was heartwarming to see children of the pastoralists in the school, very excited to learn.
By their commitment to this project, Niger is leading the way for states' participation in finding lasting solutions to the lingering crop farmers/herders crisis. We are happy to work with Niger state to mainstream this initiative into our National Livestock Transformation Plan.
The conflict is about resources of land, pastures and water, and this is in addition to these resources being limited today by our increasing population growth and desertification. Providing these resources in planned settlements will stop cattle from roaming and prevent crisis.
Let me reiterate that the Federal Government of Nigeria is interested in working with only states that are willing to be part of the livestock development plan. No one's land will be taken. Any state that changes its mind can always join in & will have government's full support.
