A bill for the creation of a national database for cows and other livestock in Nigeria has elicited angry reactions from Nigerians. Reports reaching the Nigeria News Abroad say the bill for an act to provide for National Livestock Bureau scaled second reading at Tuesday’s plenary session.
The proposed law sponsored by Senator Muhammad Enagi said the agency will be in charge of the identification, traceability and registration of livestock such as cows and goats to among other things curb cattle rustling.
It will also ensure the protection, control and management of all livestock in Nigeria.
Enagi said in addition to checking cattle rustling, the bill will help address the diseases and other threats to human lives caused by the movement of livestock.
He said the agency in charge will also ensure that animal products being imported into, or sold in, Nigeria are easily traced to ensure human safety.
The Senator said livestock identification by the agency will include ownership and other details including their origin, birthplace, sex and breed.
But Nigerians on social media carpeted the Senate for considering such a bill, describing it as irrelevant.
Social commentator Adetutu Balogun said: “A country yet to complete a National Database for people is proposing a National Database for Cows. Thank you United Kingdom for my citizenship.”
Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer PiggyVest Odunayo Eweniyi tweeted:” Not a single unified database for the people, but sure let’s do it for the cows.”
Dr Olufunmilayo said: “Twitter to open Africa HQ in Ghana. Amazon to put Africa HQ in South Africa. Germany to open Global Pandemic Prevention Centre in Ghana.
“Guess what Nigeria is doing? Nigeria to have National Database for Cows. Pls, don’t laugh. This is a true-life story from the Giant of Africa.”
Sodiq Tade wrote: “Serious Countries are putting in place policies to attract huge Investors, but in Nigeria, we are working on creating a National database for cows.”