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Livestock Farming: The Untold Story
The last is yet to be heard about how livestock farming is inherently dangerous to the ecosystem, especially drinking water supplies in developing countries.
Indeed, livestock farming the world-over has in the recent times generated public discourse. This follows the discovery that livestock production poses palpable health hazards to the health of humans.
Before now, livestock farming was globally accepted as a good means of boosting economic development and food sufficiency among settlements in developing nations. This, to a great extent, spurred the governments and agencies of some developing countries to give regular assistance to livestock farmers, through the provision of incentives and credit facilities to enable them break-even as well as beef up their economic advancement.
However, disturbed by the way and manner livestock production is being practiced in developing nations, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), an affiliate of the United Nations (UN), has cautioned against the establishment of livestock farms in urban centres and in areas close to residential houses.
In one of its recent reports titled, “Livestock Policy Brief”, the UN agency observed with dismay that industrial livestock production in developing nations often causes “severe environmental damage”, especially when meat and dairy factories are crowded around cities or close to water resources.
Indeed, the report asked the governments and the various authorities in developing countries to create incentives for more environmentally friendly dairy and meat production practices, since meat and dairy products have become more widely available in many developing nations.
To halt the unguided livestock farming practices across developing countries, the authorities must evolve regulatory policies and taxes that could discourage the concentration of livestock farms close to residential houses in urban centres as well as cities.
Yes, governments and agencies in the developing countries, including Nigeria, must take seriously the FAO’s caution against livestock farming, in order to safeguard the health of their citizens.
Besides, there is need for authorities in the developing world to put livestock production in check because it is a known fact that major forms of pollution associated with manure management is usually found in intensive livestock production.
What’s more, livestock production in urban areas should also be discouraged because of what has been described as the ‘leaching’ of acid and disease-producing organisms into ground-water, which often threatens drinking water supplies in some developing nations”.
Although livestock production creates vast quantities of manure in developing world, it has also been discovered that the supply of nutrients from livestock farms, damages soil fertilizer. This is why experts are also calling for caution in application of livestock production manure on crops.
Again, another danger in livestock production in the developing world borders principally on the fact that fragile ecosystems such as wetlands, mangrove swamps and coral reels are destroyed.
Therefore, authorities in the deveoping country must now begin to beam their searchlights on livestock farmers in the rural areas. Why? Because livestock farming is done in the most crude manner in the rural communities.
Indeed, it behoves the governments at all levels and other stakeholders to monitor the activities of livestock farmers, operating in the urban centres. That way, disease-producing organisms into groundwater, which is now threatening drinking water supplies will, in no mean way, be halted.
That said, it is imperative to enact laws that would reduce the establishment of livestock farms in urban centres in order to safeguard the health of the people and the ecosystems.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
