I Can Employ One Million Nigerians With Cattle Business, Okorocha Tells FG

• “This is business. See money and people are just joking with it”

Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo state, says he can create a million jobs from pastoral farming if given necessary financial support.

In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed an inexorably rise in farmers-herders conflicts in many parts of the country, which has led to the loss of lives and property.

As a result of the crisis, 17 southern governors, last Tuesday, during a meeting in Asaba, Delta state, resolved to ban open grazing in their region.

Speaking on the development in an interview on Sunday Politics, the senator representing Imo west said the country should look into the business of cattle rearing, noting that the nation was losing huge revenue by poor handling of the business..

Ekohotblog reports that Okorocha noted that Nigeria used to produce leather and skins which were sought after by international markets.

“Let me talk to Nigerians for the first time as a businessman. Do you know how many billions of dollars this nation is losing by not handling this business of cattle well in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

He disclosed that he would perform wonders with the sector if government should give him, say, ₦66 billion.

“This business of cattle can create one million jobs for Nigerians, if well-managed. I wish Nigerians can call me or the government will call me and say Okorocha this seventy-six billion.

READ ALSO: ‘Becoming A Governor Made Me Even Poorer,’ Okorocha Speaks On Corruption Allegation

“We want to give you, it is your share, take it and fix the cattle business. If I do not create one million jobs within the shortest time, just know I’m not Rochas.

“This is business. See money and people are just joking with it. We used to be exporters of leathers, skins. What about the dairy products and milk?

“Assuming we have this business, do you know how many welders and fabricators will build body carriers for the cows, while we import the head from China and fix it.”