A herder watches his cows graze outside of the village of Koboga, Nigeria, Sept. 4, 2018. Conflicts between farmers and herdsmen vying for land, which mirror the 20th Century range wars in the American West, are turning more violent. (Adriane Ohanesian/The New York Times)
HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

Northern governors: Open grazing unsustainable, unfashionable

284

 

A temporary headstart appears to have been achieved as the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) declared open grazing as unsustainable, unfashionable and out-of-date.

The governors bared their minds in a communiqué released at the end of their virtual meeting presided over by the NSGF chairman and Plateau Gov. Simon Lalong.

“The current system of herding mainly through open grazing is no longer sustainable, in view of growing urbanisation and population of the country,” the governors said.

They opted for ranching instead of the open grazing system that had caused serious crisis in the South particularly Southwest.

“The meeting resolved to sensitise herders on the need to adopt new methods of herding, either by ranching or other acceptable modern methods.

“We appeal to the Federal Government to support states with grants to directly undertake pilot projects of modern livestock production that would serve as a springboard for the full implementation of new methods of livestock production.

“We call on political leaders to isolate criminality and social groups in their domains with a view to treating criminals like criminals and condemn every form of criminality whether from herders, hunters or farmers occupying forest reserves illegally,” the statement said.

Noting with concern the growing wave of insecurity in the country, the forum said it was working assiduously to contain the tension generated by the eviction order issued to criminal herdsmen in some parts of the country with threats of reprisals.

The forum stressed the urgent need for the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to meet and discuss the issue holistically, to resolve all areas of misunderstanding and conflict arising from threats and suspicion, for the sake of national unity.

To this end, a four-man committee was put in place to be headed by the chairman of NSGF.

It urged citizens particularly from the Northern part of the country to continue to live in peace with all Nigerians irrespective of their background.

The governors also called for restraint on the part of leaders especially from the South on the herders’ crisis.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

N1.3trn fraud: EFCC arrests, grills ex-Delta Gov. Okowa

A former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has been apprehended by the...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu orders release of #EndBadGovernance underage protesters

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested...

Equatorial Guinea government official embroiled in sextape scandal

Mr. Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF)...

Just in: Seven new ministers take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly appointed ministers, directing them...

CAF ruling against Libya: Nigerian govt. promises to protect its citizens in Libya

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to...

Polaris Bank wins “Best Mobile App” award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

For its commitment to digital innovation and excellence, Polaris Bank has again...

Updated: After six years of injustice, Nigeria’s ex-Chief Justice, Onnoghen, finally gets justice

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday, overturned the conviction of...

Flood sacks 4 Anambra council areas as Soludo activates 27 IDP camps

By Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka Floods have devastated four local government areas in...

Just in: Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN, Onnoghen, orders FG to unfreeze his account

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged and acquitted...

Four-month salary: NASU, SSANU secure irrevocable commitment from FG, suspend strike

After a six-day strike, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching staff...

Three radio stations in Abia destroyed by mysterious fire

A mysterious fire has hit three radio stations in Abia in Abia...

Seven new ministers for inauguration on Monday, Nov. 4

President Bola Tinubu will preside over the oath-taking of seven new ministers...

Youth shot dead for playing football near VIP’s house

A 70-year-old man, Mr. Stephen Irobunda, has escaped a mob action in...

Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, director Dimeji Ajibola is dead

Dimeji Ajibola, the acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker behind the popular series Shanty Town,...

Just in: UK Conservative Party elects former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch as new leader

Former British Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the new leader...

Demolition of Abuja N200bln properties: Restrain Wike, Estate Developers Beg Pres. Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to intervene in the alleged demolition...

ECOWAS, Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania Commit to $26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project

“The project, conceived in 2016 during King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s visit...

FirstBank’s retired CEO, Adeduntan, gets presidential commendation

Impressed with his exemplary career trajectory and transformative leadership, President Bola Tinubu...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

NAGAFF Taps NPA MD, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, as Keynote Speaker for Silver Jubilee Anniversary

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has announced Dr....